Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Musk and Rahul Gandhi Unite in Dispute Over Starlink Licence
Elon Musk and Rahul Gandhi have very different political beliefs.
But they recently agreed in criticizing India’s government.
The article says Musk is concerned about getting permission for his Starlink business in India.
Gandhi leads an opposition party that wants to challenge the government.
The writer says they are working together because their interests briefly overlap, not because they share the same ideas.
The article also recalls that Gandhi previously used Musk’s comments about voting machines.
It says decisions about Starlink should be made by applying security rules fairly.
It argues that political disagreements should not decide whether a company gets a licence.
Rahul Gandhi welcomed Elon Musk after Musk criticized the Indian government, and Musk replied that the situation was troubling.
The article argues their apparent alignment reflects shared opposition to the government, not shared political principles.
It says Musk wants approval for Starlink, while Gandhi’s opposition benefits politically from criticism of the government.
The article points to a 2024 episode in which Gandhi cited Musk’s criticism of electronic voting machines.
It argues Starlink’s security clearance should be assessed on the same basis as those for Jio and Airtel.
- Who
- Elon Musk and Rahul Gandhi, India’s Leader of the Opposition.
- What
- Musk and Gandhi exchanged supportive comments amid criticism of the Indian government; the article frames this as a convergence of interests over Starlink licensing and political opposition.
- When
- This week; the article also refers to a similar episode in 2024.
- Where
- India, on X.
- Why
- According to the article, Musk’s company seeks a Starlink licence, while the opposition seeks to weaken or criticize the government.
The article’s criticism
The positions described
Musk’s engagement with the opposition
The article’s criticism
The article portrays Musk’s exchange with Gandhi as opportunistic, arguing that Musk’s political principles give way when his business interests are involved.
The positions described
Musk replied to Gandhi that the situation was troubling; the article says his company is seeking a Starlink licence in India.
The opposition’s response
The article’s criticism
The article argues Gandhi’s party is inconsistent for welcoming a billionaire while presenting itself as opposed to concentrated wealth and crony capitalism.
The positions described
Gandhi welcomed Musk’s criticism of the government, and the article says opposition politicians have used Musk’s comments in domestic political disputes.
Starlink security review
The article’s criticism
The article calls for Starlink’s security clearance to be considered on its merits and under rules applied equally to Jio and Airtel.
The positions described
The article says Musk views the Indian government as an obstacle to Starlink’s licence; it does not provide the government’s response or a detailed account of the clearance process.
- People involved
- Elon Musk and Rahul Gandhi
- Platform
- X
- Business issue
- Starlink’s licence in India
- Earlier episode cited
- In 2024, Musk questioned electronic voting machines and Gandhi called them “black boxes.”
- Other companies named
- Jio and Airtel
- Article’s recommendation
- Apply security clearance requirements equally to Starlink, Jio and Airtel.