Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, recently directed criticism towards Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, highlighting the challenges faced by his company’s Starlink internet service in India. Musk's remarks came after he accused certain "oligarchs" of obstructing the launch of Starlink, which has been delayed despite Musk's claims of complying with all governmental regulations over the past five years.

In a post on social media, Musk questioned, "Is Ambani the real boss of India?" This comment stirred political controversy, prompting a response from Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in India. Gandhi has been vocal about his concerns regarding the influence of wealthy businessmen on the Indian government. He hinted at the existence of other powerful figures, referencing Gautam Adani, another prominent businessman in India.

Ambani’s company, Jio, dominates the Indian telecom market alongside Airtel, controlling approximately 80% of the market share. Musk's allegations suggest that the competitive landscape may be hindering Starlink's ability to operate in India. Following a series of agreements in March 2025 with Jio and Airtel to explore collaboration, Musk's company received a license to launch its services in India. However, the launch has been stalled due to regulatory approvals being frozen, reportedly over security concerns regarding the use of Starlink's terminals.

As the situation develops, Jio is reportedly planning to establish a satellite network comprising around 1,600 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and 23 ground stations to enhance connectivity across India. Meanwhile, Starlink operates over 11,000 satellites globally, providing services to users in more than 170 countries. The competition between these two tech giants could significantly influence the future of internet connectivity in India.