Musk Blames Mukesh Ambani for Starlink Delays, Sparks Diplomatic Tension

WASHINGTON — Elon Musk said on X on Monday that Mukesh Ambani, head of Reliance Industries, was acting as India’s de‑facto prime minister by preventing the rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service. The comment followed a week‑long dispute over the status of Starlink’s pending licence applications in India.

Starlink licence process

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has not yet granted a licence to Starlink, citing the need for compliance with the nation’s spectrum allocation rules and security clearances. The DoT’s public notice, released in September 2026, listed the required documentation and stated that applications would be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.

SpaceX filed its first formal request for a satellite‑based broadband licence in February 2026. The company has sought access to the 12.2‑12.7 GHz Ku‑band, which is currently allocated to terrestrial mobile operators. The DoT has indicated that any allocation to a non‑terrestrial service would require a policy amendment.

Musk’s accusation

In a 280‑character post, Musk wrote that “the real prime minister of India is Mukesh Ambani, and he is blocking Starlink.” The post was shared by Al Jazeera’s video feed on 10 October 2026. The clip showed Musk’s statement without any accompanying evidence.

Livemint reported that Musk’s remarks referenced a meeting with Indian officials in which he was allegedly told that Reliance’s control over the telecom market was influencing the licence decision. No transcript of the meeting has been released.

Indian political response

Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition, responded on X, welcoming Musk to India and urging the government to expedite the licensing process. His post, reproduced by India’s News.Net, said that “the country needs open internet access and should not let private interests dictate policy.”

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, speaking at a press conference in Delhi, said the government was “committed to a transparent and fair evaluation” of all applications. Sibal’s remarks were covered by The Economic Times on the same day.

Reliance Industries issued a statement through its corporate communications office, denying any involvement in the licence delay. The statement, quoted by Livemint, said the company “has no authority over regulatory decisions and respects the DoT’s independent process.”

Regulatory perspective

The DoT’s spokesperson, speaking to reporters on 9 October 2026, said the agency “receives many applications and follows a standard review timeline.” The spokesperson added that “no external entity influences the outcome of the licensing process.”

Industry analysts note that India’s telecom sector is dominated by a few large players, including Reliance Jio, which controls over 45 % of the mobile subscriber base. The entry of a satellite broadband provider could increase competition, but would also require adjustments to existing spectrum policy.

Potential impact

If Starlink receives a licence, it could provide high‑speed internet to remote and underserved regions, complementing the government’s Digital India initiative. The service could also affect the pricing dynamics of existing broadband providers.

Conversely, the controversy highlights the challenges foreign tech firms face in navigating India’s regulatory environment, where corporate influence and political considerations often intersect with policy decisions.