India’s satellite internet market is preparing for new entrants. Starlink is getting ready to launch its services in the country. At this moment, Reliance Industries has spoken about the need for all companies to follow Indian laws and to deliver benefits to Indian consumers. The company has said that it welcomes competition in the satellite communications arena, explicitly naming Starlink as one of the players it is open to facing.
In a public statement, Reliance Industries declared its support for competition in India’s satellite internet market. The firm argued that every participant must adhere to the nation’s regulations and work toward the advantage of local users. This stance was framed as a welcome to any rival that respects the same rules, reinforcing the idea that the market should be open rather than protected.
Statement from Reliance Industries In light of recent remarks about Reliance and the Indian market, we wish to place the facts on record. Like every Indian enterprise, Reliance has grown in an India that welcomes investment and innovation, homegrown or international, that improve the lives of the people. That openness rests on the rule of law. As the Government of India has stated, it applies the same process to every applicant, Indian or foreign. Jio's own satellite services await clearances. At Reliance, we have never feared competition. We see it as the truest test of who serves the customer best. Jio itself entered India's crowded telecom market in 2016 as the newest player, with not a single customer. In just ten years, Jio has earned the trust of over 530 million customers and given Indians some of the best digital infrastructure and most affordable data in the world. We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink. Every player, Jio included, must serve the people of India and abide by the laws and policies of the land.
On 2026-10-16, Reliance Industries issued a statement that directly responded to Elon Musk’s criticism of Starlink’s planned entry into India. In that release, the company reiterated its commitment to abide by Indian laws and policies. It also highlighted its own achievements in the domestic telecom sector as evidence of its ability to thrive under competitive conditions.
Within the same communication, Reliance pointed to the success of its Jio brand.
Within the same communication, Reliance pointed to the success of its Jio brand. It noted that in just ten years, Jio has earned the trust of over 530 million customers. The figure is also expressed as 53 करोड़ crore, underscoring the scale of the subscriber base that Reliance says demonstrates its market strength and consumer confidence.
The chronology for 2026-10-16 shows two distinct actions by Reliance Industries. First, the company opposed Starlink’s satellite internet services on that date. Second, on the same day, it issued a statement in response to Elon Musk’s criticism. Together, these facts reveal a dual posture: Reliance voiced opposition to a specific Starlink offering while simultaneously welcoming broader competition in the sector.
Reliance Industries supplied a quote in Hindi that reads, "हमने कभी प्रतिस्पर्धा से डर महसूस नहीं किया", which translates to an assertion that the firm has never felt fear of competition. An English version of the sentiment was also shared: "We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink." Both utterances were presented as part of the company’s public messaging on the day of the statement.
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐚𝐰: 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐤 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦 𝐫𝐨𝐰 Reliance Industries has issued a statement addressing claims by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for allegedly blocking Starlink's launch in India. In the statement posted on X, the company said, "We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink. Every player, Jio included, must serve the people of India and abide by the laws and policies of the land." Read More: https://t.co/msmiFCaFeZ #Reliance #ElonMusk #Starlink Armaan Agarwal
As of the October 2026 disclosures, Reliance Industries has positioned itself as both a critic of a particular Starlink service and an advocate for open competition in India’s satellite internet landscape. The company points to its legal compliance, its legal‑policy adherence, and the ten‑year trust built with more than half a billion Jio users as the foundations of its stance. The unfolding dynamic will depend on how these stated principles translate into actual market behavior as Starlink prepares to go live.
