Elon Musk Accuses Indian Oligarchs of Blocking Starlink Entry
Elon Musk accused Indian business leaders of blocking Starlink's market entry while nationalist groups and think tanks urged a ban over national security risks.
CEO Elon Musk accused Indian oligarchs, specifically Jio owner Mukesh Ambani, of blocking Starlink's entry into the Indian satellite internet market to maintain a monopolistic chokehold. Musk characterized the four-year licensing delay as a crime against the Indian people, claiming his company is being blocked by vested interests.
In response, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Communications rejected these claims as baseless, asserting that all competitors are at the same regulatory stage and licenses will be granted once security prerequisites are met. Starlink Vice President Lauren Dreyer stated that the company has already built 20 gateway sites to keep Indian users' data within the country.
Simultaneously, the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch called for a total ban on Starlink, citing risks that its laser technology could bypass domestic internet gateways and allow data to be transmitted abroad without oversight. This position was supported by a research paper from the Kutniti Foundation, which characterized Starlink as a dual-use technology integrated into the U.S. military-industrial complex and a tool for U.S. geopolitical influence.
Critics, including SJM National Co-Convener Ashwani Mahajan, warned that unauthorized Starlink equipment already found in India could be exploited by terrorists or criminals. While Musk frames the dispute as a commercial battle, the Indian government continues to prioritize strict communication controls and national security over market access.
