Musk accuses Indian oligarchs of blocking Starlink as government hits back

Elon Musk has accused unnamed oligarchs in India of deliberately blocking Starlink's entry into the country to protect their monopoly over consumers, calling the alleged obstruction a crime. The remarks came hours after a senior SpaceX official confirmed that Starlink is technically ready to begin operations in India.

Musk alleged that certain powerful figures were using their influence to keep the satellite broadband service from launching, framing the situation as a battle between entrenched commercial interests and open market access for Indian consumers.

The Ministry of Communications swiftly rejected his claims, describing them as baseless and misconceived. The government defended India's regulatory framework for satellite communications as fair and transparent, pushing back firmly against any suggestion that the approval process had been manipulated in favour of established players.

The dispute throws a spotlight on the broader contest for India's fast-growing satellite internet market, where Starlink faces competition from domestic operators with deep commercial and political ties. Starlink has been seeking the necessary spectrum and licensing approvals to launch services in one of the world's largest and most lucrative telecommunications markets, but has yet to receive clearance to begin operating.