Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Musk, Rahul Gandhi Trade Posts Over Starlink’s India Entry
Elon Musk wants Starlink to offer satellite internet in India.
He says the company has followed India’s rules for five years and is licensed in many countries, but it has not started service there.
Musk blamed unnamed powerful business interests and asked whether Mukesh Ambani was involved.
Rahul Gandhi replied, “Welcome to India, Elon.
Wait till you discover the other guy.”
Musk said the situation was troubling.
India’s communications ministry says the rules are fair and apply to all three licensed satellite companies.
It says security checks are underway for all three.
After those checks, a company can move on to seeking spectrum, which is another step before service can begin.
Starlink says it has built India-specific security systems and infrastructure, including 20 gateway sites.
Elon Musk questioned why Starlink cannot begin commercial service in India despite his claim it is licensed in more than 165 countries and has spent five years meeting Indian requirements.
Musk alleged unnamed oligarchs were blocking Starlink to protect their market position and asked whether Mukesh Ambani was behind the delay.
Rahul Gandhi replied, “Welcome to India, Elon. Wait till you discover the other guy”; Musk responded that the situation was troubling.
India’s Ministry of Communications said its satellite-services authorisation framework is fair and non-discriminatory, and that all three licensees are undergoing security assessments.
Starlink has authorisation but still needs to complete security requirements and obtain spectrum assignment before commercial operations can begin.
- Who
- Elon Musk, Rahul Gandhi, India’s Ministry of Communications, and satellite-service licensees Starlink, Jio Satcom, and Eutelsat OneWeb.
- What
- Musk alleged that interests were blocking Starlink’s India entry; the ministry said all three licensees face the same security-assessment process.
- When
- The X exchange took place on Thursday, October 8, 2026; Starlink’s Lauren Dreyer spoke at the India Mobile Congress on October 7.
- Where
- India; the exchange took place on X, and company and government comments were made around the India Mobile Congress.
- Why
- Musk said Starlink could fill internet coverage gaps and alleged it was being blocked; the government said security requirements must be met before a licensee can seek spectrum assignment.
Musk’s allegations
Government and industry responses
Whether Starlink is being unfairly blocked
Musk’s allegations
Musk alleged unnamed oligarchs were blocking Starlink to protect their market position and questioned whether Mukesh Ambani was behind the delay.
Government and industry responses
The Ministry of Communications called the framework fair and non-discriminatory, described claims of unfair application as baseless, and said all three licensees were at broadly the same regulatory stage.
What is delaying commercial service
Musk’s allegations
Musk questioned why Starlink could not begin operations after its stated five years of compliance and international licensing.
Government and industry responses
The ministry said security assessments are underway for all three licensees, after which they may seek spectrum assignment. Minister of State Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said the pending security clearance was not specific to one company.
- Musk’s stated compliance period
- Five years of complying with Indian laws and government requirements, according to Musk.
- Countries where Musk says Starlink is licensed
- More than 165.
- Licensed satellite-service operators cited
- Starlink, Reliance Jio’s Jio Satcom, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb.
- Current regulatory step
- Security assessments are underway for all three licensees.
- Next step after security assessment
- A licensee may proceed to seek spectrum assignment.
- Starlink infrastructure reported in India
- Starlink executive Lauren Dreyer said the company had built 20 gateway sites equipped with hundreds of antennas.
- Ministry’s position
- The ministry said the framework is fair and non-discriminatory, and all three entities are at broadly the same regulatory stage.
Sources
'Welcome to India, Elon': Rahul Gandhi reacts to Musk's Starlink remark; SpaceX CEO responds
'Indeed Troubling': Elon Musk Responds to Rahul Gandhi Amid Starlink Entry Row
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