Elon Musk has launched a sharp public attack on Mukesh Ambani this week accusing the Reliance Industries chairman of blocking SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service from launching in India.
The clash began on Wednesday when Musk claimed “certain oligarchs” were maintaining a “monopolistic chokehold” on Indian people. On Thursday he named Ambani directly, asking on X: “Is Ambani the real boss of India?”
Musk’s sarcastic escalation
By Friday, Musk went further. In a post addressing “Dear Prime Minister Ambani,” he apologized sarcastically for not realizing Ambani was the real power and asked if the billionaire would “consider allowing Starlink to compete.”
Musk argued Starlink could connect remote areas, help children learn, support small businesses and save lives during disasters when normal networks fail.
On Saturday he shared old reports linking Reliance-related firms to BJP campaign support and political donations.
What the Indian side says
India’s government rejected the claims. The Ministry of Communications said the rules are fair and non-discriminatory. Three operators – Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications – are at similar stages, all waiting for security clearances and spectrum.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated India does not allow monopolies in any sector. Reliance Jio has not publicly responded.
The bigger picture
Starlink has spent about five years meeting Indian requirements and is licensed in over 165 countries. Last year it even signed distribution deals with both Jio and Airtel.
Meanwhile Jio has revealed its own ambitious plan for around 1,600 low-Earth orbit satellites. The public spat highlights the high stakes in India’s huge and still-underserved internet market.
