Tesla CEO Elon Musk has intensified his public criticism of Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani, sharing media reports on social media that alleged links between Reliance-associated entities and the BJP’s election campaigns and political funding.
In a post on X on Saturday, Musk shared screenshots of a 2022 Al Jazeera report titled “How a Reliance-funded firm boosts BJP’s campaigns on Facebook” and an archived 2024 report by The Indian Express concerning Qwik Supply, a Reliance-linked company. According to the latter report, the company donated ₹385 crore to the BJP and ₹25 crore to the Shiv Sena through electoral bonds.
The latest post comes amid an escalating dispute over the prolonged delay in the launch of Musk’s Starlink satellite broadband services in India. Musk has alleged that powerful business interests are attempting to prevent his company from entering the Indian market to protect their existing dominance.
Reliance has not publicly responded to Musk’s allegations. The Indian government, meanwhile, has maintained that its authorisation framework for telecommunications and satellite services is fair and non-discriminatory. It has described suggestions that the framework is being applied selectively as baseless and misconceived.
Musk Calls Ambani ‘Prime Minister Ambani’
A few hours before sharing the reports, Musk addressed Mukesh Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani” in a post on X and accused him of seeking to protect a monopoly. He also questioned whether Ambani would allow Starlink to compete in India.
“Dear Prime Minister Ambani, Please accept my humble apologies for not realising that you are the real boss of India,” Musk wrote, adding that he hoped Ambani would consider allowing Starlink to compete in the country.
Musk has repeatedly claimed that certain powerful business groups are trying to preserve their market dominance by blocking Starlink’s entry. He has accused some oligarchs of attempting to maintain what he described as a “monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people.”
The billionaire entrepreneur also highlighted the lack of internet connectivity in several parts of India. He argued that limited access to the internet deprives children of educational opportunities and prevents small businesses from reaching customers in global markets.
Musk maintained that Starlink could significantly improve the lives of people in underserved areas.
In another post late Friday evening, he said Starlink had proved essential in saving lives during natural disasters around the world when other communication systems failed. He added that the service could also help save lives in India.
Earlier, Musk had questioned why Starlink had yet to receive the necessary clearance to begin operations in India, despite being licensed in more than 165 countries. He said the company had spent five years complying with Indian government laws and requirements.
Government Says India Does Not Permit Monopolies
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia pushed back against concerns over monopolies in the satellite communications sector, stating on Friday that India does not permit monopolies in any industry.
Speaking at a briefing during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) in Delhi, Scindia said the Department of Telecommunications follows a technology-neutral approach and aims to provide consumers with a range of services.
According to the minister, consumers should be free to choose the service and company that best meet their requirements in a competitive market.
Scindia said three entities—Musk’s Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite venture Jio Satcom, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb—had secured satellite communications licences. Amazon’s Project Kuiper has also expressed interest and would need to follow the established regulatory process.
He clarified that the assignment of satellite spectrum would depend on the government’s decision regarding the revenue-based charging framework. Companies would also have to fulfil the prescribed security requirements before commencing operations.
The minister added that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications were close to reaching a final decision on the pricing framework for satellite communication spectrum.
Scindia stressed that the government would not favour any particular company and that all eligible operators would have to meet the applicable conditions.
Akash Ambani Declines to Comment on Satellite Communications Row
The dispute unfolded alongside the India Mobile Congress, the country's annual telecommunications industry event.
Reliance Jio Infocomm Chairman Akash Ambani declined to comment on the ongoing debate over satellite communication services at the event. He said the company was focused on delivering value to Indian consumers.
Musk’s criticism has centred on the delay in Starlink’s launch in India, with the entrepreneur alleging that influential business interests are working to prevent the company from competing in the market.
The government has maintained that multiple operators have received licences and that companies can begin operations once they meet the required regulatory and security conditions.
Scindia Criticises Congress Over Its Position
Scindia also criticised the Congress amid the exchange between party leader Rahul Gandhi and Musk on X.
The minister questioned the opposition party’s position on satellite communications, saying it had initially objected to a particular individual receiving a licence but was now questioning why that individual had not been granted permission to operate.
Scindia said the Congress appeared inconsistent in its approach to the issue.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to the regulatory process for satellite broadband services in India, as Musk continues to press for Starlink’s entry into the country.