A public fight between two of the world’s best-known businessmen has reached India’s government. Elon Musk asked on X whether Mukesh Ambani is “the real boss of India,” saying Ambani is using political influence to keep Starlink out of the country. On Friday, October 9, 2026, India’s telecom minister rejected the claim. This Musk Ambani Starlink India row is about one big question: why has Starlink not launched yet? Here is the full story.
What Musk Said
On Thursday, Musk wrote that Starlink is licensed in more than 165 countries and has spent five years following every law and rule of the Indian government. He then asked why it still has no licence, and whether Ambani is the real boss of India. Musk gave no evidence to support his suggestion against Ambani.
This was not his first comment. Earlier in the week, Musk said unnamed “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink to protect their own businesses. He later spoke to Ambani directly, accusing him of preferring to keep a “monopolistic exploitation” of Indians and asking him to let Starlink compete.
How India’s Government Replied
On Thursday, the government said all three licensed satellite operators, including Starlink, are at broadly the same regulatory stage. It called any idea of an unfair or unequal process “baseless and misconceived.” The Communications Ministry also described India’s satellite rules as fair and non-discriminatory.
On Friday, Telecommunications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia went further at a media briefing. He said India does not allow a monopoly in any sector.
What Each Side Is Saying
| Party | Position |
|---|---|
| Elon Musk | Starlink has followed all rules for years, yet has no licence. He suggests Ambani has political influence over the delay. He gave no evidence. |
| Indian government | The process is fair. All three licensed satellite operators are at broadly the same stage. No monopoly is allowed. |
| Reliance Jio (Ambani) | Did not respond to a request for comment. |
Does Starlink Have a Licence in India?
This is where the story gets confusing. According to Reuters, Starlink has already secured a licence to operate in India. However, a commercial launch needs two more things. First, the company must meet security compliance conditions. Second, it must receive a spectrum assignment, which is the right to use specific radio frequencies for its service. Until both are done, Starlink cannot start selling service to customers.
Why the Stakes Are So High
India has more than a billion internet users. The market is mostly shared between two mobile networks: Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel. Starlink, owned by Musk’s SpaceX, wants to enter this market with satellite internet. This could be especially useful in remote areas where mobile coverage is weak.
Reports describe a wait of about four years for Starlink’s India launch. The delay has led to heated exchanges online about business influence and government rules, and India’s political opposition has also joined the row.
What Happens Next?
For now, Starlink’s launch in India is on hold. The next steps depend on its security checks and spectrum allocation, which are decisions for the Indian government. Neither Reliance Jio nor Ambani has publicly answered Musk’s remarks. This story is still developing, so more statements are likely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Elon Musk say about Ambani?
He asked on X whether Ambani is the real boss of India, and suggested that Ambani was using political influence to block Starlink’s launch. He gave no evidence.
How did India respond?
The government called the claims baseless, and Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India does not allow a monopoly in any sector.
Has Starlink got a licence in India?
Yes, it has a licence. But it still needs to meet security compliance conditions and receive a spectrum assignment before it can launch commercially.
Has Reliance Jio responded?
Not so far. Reliance Jio did not respond to a request for comment on Musk’s remarks.
When will Starlink launch in India?
There is no confirmed date. The launch depends on regulatory approvals that have not yet been completed.
The Musk and Ambani row has turned a slow licensing process into a public fight. Until Starlink clears its remaining steps, expect more arguments about who is helping or blocking the launch.
