'Is Ambani the 'real boss of India'?': Musk accuses Indian billionaire of blocking Starlink launch as Modi government pushes back

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026.

Elon Musk has publicly identified Mukesh Ambani, owner of India's dominant Jio network, as the oligarch he claims is blocking Starlink from entering the country. Musk questioned why Starlink has yet to receive a licence despite five years of regulatory compliance in more than 165 countries. India's Ministry of Communications dismissed his allegations as "baseless and misconceived", maintaining that its approval process applies equally to all satellite operators.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi stoked the controversy, telling Musk 'wait till you meet the other one' — a jab at Modi ally Gautam Adani.

Musk responded 'this is indeed troubling', escalating a diplomatic dispute that risks embarrassing Prime Minister Modi over his connections to India's billionaire class.

The situation is made more complex by Starlink's decision to sign distribution agreements with both Jio and rival Airtel in March 2025 — leaving Ambani as Musk's chief obstacle while simultaneously serving as a key commercial partner.