On 2026-10-10, Elon Musk publicly criticized Mukesh Ambani, alleging that the Reliance Industries chairman’s influence is hindering the launch of Starlink’s satellite‑communication service in India. Musk framed the dispute as a question of whether Ambani would allow a new competitor to enter a market he dominates, asking pointedly whether the chairman would “consider allowing Starlink to compete” while preferring to maintain his “monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India.”
The same day, India’s Ministry of Communications pushed back on the accusation of unfair treatment. Officials said the regulatory framework for satellite operators is applied uniformly and that all companies, including Starlink, are at comparable stages of the approval process. The ministry characterised the system as “fair and non‑discriminatory,” denying any favoritism toward domestic players.
TechCrunch: Elon Musk intensifies attack on Ambani over Starlink India launch delay https://t.co/ZLl5bq1qlJ https://t.co/v9ZJEBiqXM
Despite the regulatory holdup, SpaceX had already secured distribution arrangements with two of India’s largest telecom operators. Agreements were struck with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, giving Starlink a potential pathway to reach customers through local partners even as the formal licence remained pending.
Adding a sarcastic edge, Musk repeatedly referred to Mukesh Ambani as the country’s “prime minister.
Musk’s rhetoric grew sharper in the following days. He accused Mukesh Ambani of deliberately slowing the approval process to protect his own dominant market position, suggesting that the chairman’s actions were motivated by a desire to keep competition at bay. The Tesla and SpaceX chief framed the issue as a choice between protecting an incumbent monopoly and opening the market to a new entrant.
Elon Musk intensifies attack on Ambani over Starlink India launch delay - this is either huge or completely overhyped. no in-between.
Adding a sarcastic edge, Musk repeatedly referred to Mukesh Ambani as the country’s “prime minister.” In one tweet he wrote, “Is Ambani the real boss of India?” and in another he addressed the chairman directly: “Dear Prime Minister Ambani, please accept my humble apologies for not realising that you are the real boss of India.” The jab was meant to underline Musk’s view that Ambani wields outsized influence over governmental decisions.
Beyond the personal feud, Musk highlighted what he sees as the broader societal upside of Starlink’s arrival. He argued that the service could bring internet access to regions that remain unconnected, thereby improving access to education and opening pathways to global markets for underserved communities. Musk also pointed to the technology’s track record in emergencies, noting that Starlink has been “essential for saving lives during natural disasters throughout the world, when all other communications systems have failed,” and suggested it could play a similar role in India.
Elon Musk intensifies attack on Ambani over Starlink India launch delay Elon Musk has accused Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani of blocking competition. https://t.co/co9xgJtZJp via @techcrunch
The intensity of the exchange was reflected in a busy schedule on 2026-10-10. On that date Musk first voiced his criticism of Ambani over the Starlink launch delay; the Ministry of Communications issued its rebuttal; SpaceX announced its distribution deals with Reliance Jio; Musk began publicly criticising delays in regulatory approval for satellite‑communication services; the government denied allegations of favoritism in the approval process; and at the India Mobile Congress event, Minister Scindia addressed the matter. All these strands converged on a single day, underscoring how quickly the dispute moved from private grievance to public spectacle.