Elon Musk Accuses Indian ‘Oligarchs’ of Blocking Starlink, New Delhi Rejects Claims
In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk alleged that certain influential business figures were deliberately preventing Starlink from entering the Indian market to maintain their control over consumers.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk has accused powerful business interests in India of obstructing the launch of his satellite internet service, Starlink, to protect their dominance over the country’s telecommunications market, calling the situation “a crime against the people of India.”
In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk alleged that certain influential business figures were deliberately preventing Starlink from entering the Indian market to maintain their control over consumers.
“We are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people,” Musk wrote, without identifying any individuals or companies.
“You can guess who they are,” he added.
Starlink beams are turned off over India, so the claim that they were used by anyone for any reason is absolutely false https://t.co/y3R2L5JV7h
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2026
India’s telecommunications market is dominated by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel, which together control more than 80 percent of the market.
Musk’s remarks have brought renewed attention to competition in India’s telecommunications sector, where Starlink has struggled to begin commercial operations despite receiving a government licence last year.
India Rejects Musk’s Allegations
Responding on Thursday, the Indian government rejected suggestions that its satellite internet approval process was unfair or discriminatory, describing such allegations as “baseless and misconceived.”
The government maintained that its regulatory framework applies equally to all operators and confirmed that licences had been granted to three global satellite communications providers.
However, it stressed that every licensed operator must demonstrate compliance with national security requirements before launching commercial services.
Starlink received its licence in 2025 but has yet to begin operations in India.
In another post on X, Musk said Starlink would provide “high-speed, affordable internet connectivity for those who cannot afford current prices.”
Competition With India’s Telecom Giants
Starlink’s entry into India comes amid growing competition in the satellite communications sector.
Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator, announced plans in June to introduce low-Earth-orbit satellite connectivity through partnerships with international satellite constellation providers.
Akash Ambani, son of Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani, told shareholders that the company intended to lease satellite capacity to accelerate the rollout of its services.
Interestingly, SpaceX announced partnerships with both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel in 2025 to introduce Starlink services across India. However, the planned commercial rollout has yet to materialise.
According to CNBC, requests for comments were sent to Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel regarding Musk’s allegations.
Security Concerns Delay Starlink Launch
Apart from competition concerns, Starlink faces regulatory scrutiny over national security issues.
In June, Bloomberg reported that Indian regulators had frozen certain approvals over concerns that Starlink terminals could potentially operate without proper authorisation.
Authorities have also raised questions about the company’s ability to restrict satellite internet access to approved geographical areas, known as geofencing, and comply with data localisation requirements.
Neil Shah, a partner at Counterpoint Research, said India’s concerns stem partly from allowing a foreign company to operate in the strategically sensitive satellite communications sector.
He suggested that Starlink could receive final approval around the time Indian companies develop their own satellite internet capabilities.
According to Shah, allowing Starlink to enter the market without establishing a level playing field could enable the American company to dominate India’s emerging satellite communications industry.
Starlink Expands Globally as India Launch Remains Uncertain
Despite the regulatory obstacles in India, Starlink continues to expand its international satellite internet network.
Speaking at the India Mobile Congress on Wednesday, Lauren Dreyer, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Business Operations, said approximately 11,000 Starlink satellites were operating in orbit, providing connectivity across more than 170 countries.
She said SpaceX had been working for years to bring satellite internet connectivity to underserved communities in India, particularly in remote areas where conventional telecommunications infrastructure remains limited.
Dreyer also highlighted Starlink’s existing agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
The dispute has placed India’s satellite internet regulatory policies under renewed scrutiny, with Musk alleging that powerful business interests are obstructing competition while New Delhi maintains that national security compliance remains essential for all operators.
