Elon Musk-led SpaceX’s satellite internet service Starlink has reiterated its readiness to provide high-speed internet connectivity in India, as a public exchange between Musk and Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani brings the company’s delayed entry into focus. In a post on X on Friday, Starlink said it had spent years working with Indian authorities and industry participants to prepare for its proposed services.
The company also highlighted the infrastructure it has established within the country, asserting that its systems have been developed to serve Indian internet traffic securely.
Musk also responded to Reliance’s official statement on X with a brief comment, writing, “Much appreciated.”
The statement comes amid a dispute over regulatory approvals for satellite communications services, with Musk criticising the delay in Starlink’s entry and Reliance issuing a response defending India’s regulatory framework and its own record of competition.
Sharing a screenshot of its statement on X, Starlink said it had worked with regulators, industry representatives and operators in India for five years. The company also pointed to the infrastructure it had built domestically as part of its preparations.
Starlink wrote, “We have worked closely with regulators, industry and operators in India for 5 years, and built a network of dedicated systems, gateways, and other infrastructure all in-country to exclusively serve Indian traffic safely and securely – and all with the requisite government approvals.”
The statement underlines the company’s position that it has invested time and resources in meeting India’s requirements. However, the company’s remarks come against the backdrop of continuing questions over the approvals needed to begin offering its satellite internet services commercially.
Reliance Jio Responds To Musk’s Statement
Reliance Industries issued a statement on Friday after Musk’s comments about the company’s role in India’s satellite communications market. The conglomerate said investment and innovation, whether domestic or international, must operate within the country’s legal framework.
Reliance said, “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.”
The company also expressed support for greater competition in the satellite communications segment, while stressing that all operators must comply with Indian laws and policies.
The statement added, “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.”
Reliance further rejected the suggestion that it was apprehensive about competition. Pointing to Jio’s entry into India’s telecom market in 2016, the company highlighted its subsequent growth and customer base.
“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.”
What Did Elon Musk Say About Mukesh Ambani?
The latest exchange follows a series of posts by Musk on X criticising the delay in securing approval for Starlink’s Indian operations.
On October 7, the SpaceX chief expressed frustration over the licensing process and alleged that certain Indian oligarchs were standing in the way of Starlink’s entry. While he described the alleged obstruction as a crime against the people of India, he did not identify anyone in that initial post.
Musk’s comments became more direct the following day, when he questioned Ambani’s influence over the country’s decision-making process.
He also challenged the delay by pointing to Starlink’s presence in international markets. Musk wrote, “Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license?”
In another post, Musk took a sarcastic swipe at Ambani, referring to him as the “real boss of India” and questioning whether Reliance would allow Starlink to compete in the country.
The SpaceX CEO wrote, “Dear Prime Minister Ambani, please accept my humble apologies for not realizing that you are the real boss of India. Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?”
Government Defends India’s Satellite Communications Framework
India’s communications ministry also weighed in on the debate, responding to suggestions that Starlink was facing unfair treatment without directly naming Musk.
The ministry described the country’s satellite communications framework as “fair and non-discriminatory” and termed allegations of unequal treatment “baseless and misconceived.”
