Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk Intensifies Attack on Ambani Over Starlink India Delay

Elon Musk has escalated his criticism against Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, mocking him as the country's "prime minister" while accusing him of blocking Starlink's market entry.

Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer

Published: October 10, 2026 · Updated: October 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Elon Musk Intensifies Attack on Ambani Over Starlink India Delay — Image: TechCrunch

Musk Escalates Attacks on X

As SpaceX struggles to launch Starlink in India, Elon Musk has stepped up his attack on billionaire Mukesh Ambani, mockingly calling him the country's "prime minister" to suggest he wields outsized control over its government and accusing him of blocking the satellite internet service from competing.

Musk continued his criticism of the famed Reliance Industries chairperson in a post on X, arguing that Starlink could bring internet access to areas that remain unconnected, giving children more opportunities to learn, and helping small businesses reach customers worldwide. You can read more about his remarks by checking his comments on X.

"Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?" Musk wrote.

Accusations of Blocked Competition

Reliance Jio, Reliance Industries' telecom arm, did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the ongoing feud.

Musk's latest comments follow his accusations earlier this week that unnamed oligarchs were blocking Starlink's launch in India to protect their business interests. Analysts have tracked these developments closely as Musk continues to follow his accusations regarding Ambani's influence.

India's Ministry of Communications rejected the allegations, stating that the country's regulatory framework for satellite communications is fair and non-discriminatory. Musk then went further, questioning Ambani's influence in a separate post on X by asking whether he is the real boss of India.

Regulatory Approvals and Distribution Deals

SpaceX has spent years trying to launch Starlink in India. Last year, the company struck distribution agreements with Ambani's Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest telecom operator, to offer the service once it received the necessary regulatory approvals.

However, Starlink has not yet received the final go-ahead from New Delhi to begin commercial operations, despite securing key regulatory clearances early in the process. The Indian communication ministry stated that Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are undergoing mandatory security assessments before receiving satellite spectrum.

Jio and Airtel are also seeking to launch their satellite internet services in India. Jio operates a joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES, while Airtel serves as a major shareholder in Eutelsat OneWeb as multiple entities look to launch their satellite internet services.

Broader Market Challenges in India

India represents a major market for Musk as the world's most populous country with over a billion internet users. However, expanding operations there means navigating powerful business figures such as Ambani, whose Reliance conglomerate owns India's largest telecom operator and works closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on major national projects.

Alongside Starlink's delayed rollout, Musk has faced difficulties expanding Tesla within the country. The electric carmaker finally launched in the region after years of anticipation, but reports indicated it registered just 699 vehicles during its initial delivery period.

Steep import duties pushed the Model Y's launch price in India to nearly twice its U.S. price. Although Tesla lowered prices earlier this year, vehicles remain considerably more expensive in India than in the United States.

Spectrum Debate and Government Response

Before Musk's latest criticisms, Starlink and Reliance Jio clashed over how to allocate satellite spectrum in India. Starlink favored an administrative process, whereas Jio pushed for an auction. Ultimately, New Delhi decided to allocate the spectrum through an administrative assignment.

Starlink's launch in India remains in limbo. India's telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia pushed back against Musk's allegations, explicitly noting that the country does not allow monopolies in any sector.