// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Why Elon Musk is taking on India's richest man over Starlink
Elon Musk has accused the Ambanis of blocking Starlink's entry into India
Elon Musk has questioned whether billionaire Mukesh Ambani is the "real boss of India" as his satellite internet company Starlink struggles to secure final approval to launch in the country.
The remark came a day after Musk accused unnamed powerful business interests of trying to block Starlink's entry into India. He then singled out Ambani, whose Reliance conglomerate owns Jio, India's biggest mobile network operator.
India has rejected Musk's allegations, saying its satellite communications rules are fair and non-discriminatory.
Ambani and Reliance Group have not responded to Musk's remarks. The BBC has reached out to them for comment
The row comes as competition grows in India's satellite internet market, with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel also preparing to launch services.
The rivalry is complicated by the fact that Starlink has also partnered with Ambani's Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
In March 2025, both companies signed agreements with SpaceX to distribute Starlink equipment and services in India, subject to government approval. The companies also said they could explore sharing network infrastructure. The BBC has also reached out to Bharti Airtel for comment.
Musk first made the allegations on Wednesday, accusing "certain oligarchs" of maintaining a "monopolistic chokehold" on Indian consumers.
"You can guess who they are," he wrote on X, external, adding that blocking Starlink was "a crime against the people of India".