Elon Musk Mocks ‘Prime Minister Ambani’ Over ‘Monopolistic Exploitation’: ‘Allow Starlink to Compete’ in India
Elon Musk has escalated his public dispute over Starlink’s delayed launch in India, sarcastically addressing Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani”, urging him to let the satellite internet company compete in the country.
The remarks, posted on X on Oct. 9, 2026, follow Musk’s accusation that powerful business interests are obstructing Starlink to protect their dominance. India’s government has rejected claims of unfair treatment, saying satellite internet providers must meet the same regulatory requirements before launching commercial services.
Musk Takes Aim at Ambani Over Starlink
In his post, Musk wrote “Dear Prime Minister Ambani, please accept my humble apologies for not realising that you are the real boss of India.” He then urged Ambani to let Starlink compete in India, accusing the country’s telecom market of “monopolistic exploitation” that limits consumer choice.
Musk argued that Starlink could expand internet access for underserved communities, helping children access educational resources and small businesses reach global markets. The remarks followed an Oct. 8 post in which Musk questioned Ambani’s influence over India’s telecom market. However, Musk has not publicly provided evidence that Ambani personally intervened to delay Starlink’s entry.
Jio and Airtel’s Grip on India’s Telecom Market
Starlink is seeking entry into one of the world’s largest internet markets, dominated by major telecom operators Reliance Jio, led by Mukesh Ambani, and Bharti Airtel, led by Sunil Mittal. According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India data for July 2026, Jio had approximately 535.12 million mobile subscribers, while Airtel had 384.23 million. Together, the two operators served more than 919 million subscribers.
Unlike conventional mobile internet, Starlink uses SpaceX-operated satellites in low Earth orbit to deliver broadband through user terminals. The service could help connect remote and underserved areas where building traditional network infrastructure is challenging.
India Pushes Back Against Musk’s Allegations
India’s government pushed back against Musk’s allegations on Oct. 8, describing its satellite communications approval framework as fair and non-discriminatory.
In a statement published by the Press Information Bureau, India’s Ministry of Communications said security assessments were underway for Starlink, OneWeb India and Jio Satellite Communications. It described claims of an unfair approval process as “baseless and misconceived,” adding that the three operators were at broadly the same regulatory stage.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reinforced that position on Oct. 9, telling reporters, “India does not allow a monopoly in any sector.” Starlink has obtained a satellite communications licence in India but must complete security clearances and secure spectrum assignment before launching commercial services.
Starlink Still Awaits Key Regulatory Clearances
Satellite broadband could extend internet access to remote parts of India, but Starlink’s entry will depend on regulatory clearance, security requirements and pricing. As of Oct. 10, Starlink had not announced a commercial launch date in India. The company must complete the remaining regulatory requirements, while Musk continues to push for market access.
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