India’s telecommunications ministry has rejected allegations that regulatory hurdles were being used to block Elon Musk’s Starlink from entering the country’s satellite internet market, saying claims of unfair or discriminatory treatment were unfounded.
Musk had alleged on social media that Starlink was being held back by “certain oligarchs” seeking to preserve a monopolistic grip over India’s telecom sector, without identifying any individuals or companies.
India’s telecom market is largely dominated by Reliance Jio, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and Bharti Airtel, led by billionaire Sunil Mittal. Both companies have satellite internet ventures that, along with Starlink, have received initial regulatory approval to operate in India but are still awaiting spectrum allocation and final clearances.
Neither Airtel nor Jio immediately commented on Musk’s allegations.
Starlink’s approval process has been delayed for around four years, with authorities examining security requirements and spectrum-related issues.
Responding to Musk, India’s telecommunications ministry said the three companies were at broadly the same stage of the regulatory process, with security assessments currently being conducted for each.
“The suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived,” the ministry said in a statement.
Musk has previously clashed with Mittal and Ambani over how satellite spectrum should be allocated in India.
The companies later set aside their differences, and in 2025, Airtel and Jio separately reached agreements to distribute Starlink equipment in the Indian market.
India represents a significant opportunity for Starlink, which is operated by Musk’s SpaceX. Consultancy firm Deloitte has projected that India’s satellite broadband market could reach approximately $1.9 billion by 2030.
The dispute comes as the United States has been pushing for greater market access for Starlink as part of broader trade negotiations with countries affected by US tariffs.
India and the United States have also faced difficulties in finalising a trade agreement despite reaching a framework in February.
Security concerns have further complicated Starlink’s planned entry into India.
Indian authorities have reported recovering Starlink equipment during two separate operations in late 2024. The equipment was reportedly found during a drug seizure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and during an army search operation in Manipur.
Following the incidents, Musk said Starlink’s satellite beams had been “turned off over India” and had “never” been active there.
He repeated the assertion on Wednesday as the dispute over the company’s regulatory approval continued.
