Musk accuses Indian business titans of blocking Starlink entry

SpaceX chief Elon Musk has launched a direct attack on India's telecommunications establishment, alleging that powerful business magnates are using their political influence to obstruct the entry of his Starlink satellite internet service into the Indian market.

The remarks appear aimed at Mukesh Ambani, whose Reliance Industries controls Jio, and Sunil Bharti Mittal, who heads Airtel, both dominant players in India's telecom sector. Musk's comments underscore the mounting frustration at SpaceX over the delayed approval process for Starlink's Indian operations.

Starlink has been seeking regulatory clearance to operate in India for an extended period, positioning the satellite internet service as a solution to bridge connectivity gaps in rural and remote areas. The company has framed the service as complementary to terrestrial networks rather than directly competitive.

India's telecom regulator and government have not yet granted formal approval for Starlink to commence commercial operations, despite the technology being deployed in numerous other countries across South and Southeast Asia. The delay has become a point of contention between SpaceX and Indian authorities.

Musk's public statements reflect broader tensions between international technology companies and India's established telecom giants over market access and regulatory frameworks in one of the world's largest and fastest-growing telecommunications markets.