SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has intensified a public confrontation over Starlink’s regulatory approvals in India, raising questions about Mukesh Ambani. This comes after Indian authorities dismissed claims that domestic corporate interests were preventing the satellite broadband company from launching its services.
Musk initially alleged that unnamed “oligarchs” were obstructing Starlink’s entry to protect their interests in India’s telecommunications market. He subsequently asked on X whether “Ambani is the real boss of India”, bringing the chairman of Reliance Industries into a dispute that had largely centred on regulatory approvals.
"Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people," Musk posted on X.
"You can guess who they are... This is a crime against the people of India!"
The development comes hours after a senior official of Musk-led SpaceX announced that the company's satellite communication arm, Starlink, is ready to start services in India.
SpaceX's Starlink Business Operations Vice President Lauren Dreyer announced at the India Mobile Congress 2026 that Starlink has completed local infrastructure investments, including 20 gateway sites with hundreds of antennas and local data controls
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has granted licenses to three companies, including Starlink, to provide satellite communication services in India. However, the satcom companies need spectrum and security clearance to start their services.
