India defends satellite internet licensing amid Elon Musk accusations

The ministry said the accusations are baseless and that three firms, including Starlink, are at the same regulatory stage.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 08 Oct 2026 17:01:00 GMT

Elon Musk alleged on X that unnamed "oligarchs" are blocking the launch of Starlink in India, calling it a "crime against the people of India". The Indian Ministry of Communications responded on Thursday, calling the claim baseless and defending the fairness of its satellite‑internet licensing process.

What happened

Musk posted on X on Wednesday that Starlink was being obstructed so that certain individuals could maintain a monopolistic chokehold on the Indian population. The ministry issued a statement later that day, rejecting the suggestion that the regulatory framework was discriminatory. It said three separate entities were at a similar stage of security assessment and awaiting final clearances.

What the reports add

Al Jazeera noted that the ministry’s statement did not name Starlink or Musk, and highlighted that India’s telecom market is dominated by Reliance Jio (Mukesh Ambani) and Bharti Airtel (Sunil Mittal), both of which have also applied for satellite‑internet licences. The Independent identified the three applicants as Eutelsat OneWeb (backed by Bharti), Reliance Jio, and Starlink, and added that the two Indian operators together serve about 910 million broadband subscribers, over 80 % of the market.

What was said

"We are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people," Musk wrote, according to both outlets. The communications ministry said the post circulating on social media was "baseless and misconceived" and affirmed that India had "put in place a fair and non‑discriminatory authorisation framework" for satellite communication services.

How it came about

SpaceX has been seeking regulatory approval for Starlink in India for several months. Earlier this month, Felo News reported on how satellite internet services like Starlink are challenging state‑controlled internet regimes, such as Iran’s crackdown on online access (Iran‑Starlink internet control). The current dispute reflects broader tensions between global tech firms and entrenched telecom incumbents in emerging markets.

Key facts

Elon Musk claimed unnamed "oligarchs" are blocking Starlink in India. (aljazeera.com)
India's Ministry of Communications called the claim baseless and said the licensing process is fair. (independent.co.uk)
Three entities, including Starlink, Reliance Jio and Eutelsat OneWeb, are awaiting final satellite‑internet licences. (independent.co.uk)