India Responds to Elon Musk’s Claims Over Starlink Launch
NEW DELHI: India has pushed back against comments made by tech billionaire Elon Musk, who suggested that certain “oligarchs” were preventing his Starlink service from entering the Indian market to protect their own interests. Indian officials defended the government’s regulations, stating they are “fair.”
Starlink, which uses low Earth orbit satellites to provide high-speed internet service to remote areas, has sparked a heated discussion in India. Concerns have been raised about predatory pricing and allocation of spectrum among competitors.
In March 2025, Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Platforms announced a partnership with Musk’s SpaceX to offer Starlink’s services, but the launch has not yet happened. On Wednesday, Musk took to social media platform X to express his frustration, claiming that certain powerful individuals were blocking the launch.
“Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs to maintain their monopolistic control over the Indian people,” Musk stated. He added, “You can guess who they are. This is a crime against the people of India!”
In response, India’s Communications Ministry clarified that they have a “fair and non-discriminatory authorization framework for all telecommunication services.” While the ministry did not mention Musk directly, it referred to discussions circulating on social media regarding the fairness of India’s regulatory approach to satellite communication services.
The ministry also highlighted that telecom licenses have been issued to satellite service providers as part of their commitment to enhancing satellite communication in India, without naming any specific companies. “A security assessment is currently underway for all three licensees,” they noted, continuing that once this process is completed for a licensed entity, it would be able to move forward.
This disagreement underscores the fierce competition in the race to provide satellite internet in India, a major player in the global digital landscape. While Starlink awaits the final go-ahead from regulators, experts believe that the eventual launch of satellite broadband could significantly improve connectivity in rural and underserved regions, potentially benefiting millions of users across the country.
