Elon Musk calls Mukesh Ambani the real boss of India in public spat over Starlink

Tesla CEO Elon Musk sarcastically addressed industrialist Mukesh Ambani as Prime Minister Ambani on Friday, October 9, 2026, accusing him of trying to protect a monopoly and asking if he would let Starlink compete in India. Writing on the platform X, Musk posted that Ambani would naturally want to maintain his monopolistic exploitation of the Indian people, before asking him to consider letting Starlink enter the market. Musk argued that many parts of India still lack internet access, which blocks children from getting an education and stops small businesses from selling goods to a global market. He added that Starlink would change their lives for the better and noted that the satellite internet service has proven essential for saving lives during natural disasters worldwide when other communication systems fail.

Official Response

The latest remarks follow comments made earlier on Friday by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi. Scindia stated that India does not permit monopolies in any sector, explaining that the Department of Telecommunications is technology-agnostic and aims to offer a bouquet of services for customers to freely choose from. Scindia noted that three entities, including Starlink and Reliance Jio's satellite venture Jio Satcom, have already received satcom licences and can begin operations after meeting security requirements and milestones.

Context

Satellite communication licences are a major battleground for global tech firms looking to tap into India's expanding digital user base. Regulatory frameworks in the telecommunications sector require strict adherence to security clearances before commercial rollout can begin.