2 hrs ago
BJP Questions Rahul Gandhi as Musk Challenges Ambani’s Influence
Elon Musk wants his Starlink internet service to start working in India.
He asked why it has not received all the approvals it needs.
He also suggested that powerful business interests might be holding it back, but the Indian government rejected that claim.
The government says security checks and other approvals are still needed for all three licensed satellite companies.
Rahul Gandhi responded to Musk with a cryptic comment, and Musk thanked him.
Jyotiraditya Scindia criticized Congress, saying its position on the issue had changed.
The articles do not establish that any company or person is responsible for delaying Starlink.
For now, none of the three licensed companies can begin commercial service.
Elon Musk questioned why Starlink still lacks clearance to begin commercial services in India, despite being licensed in more than 165 countries.
Musk alleged that unnamed oligarchs were protecting their market interests; the government rejected the accusation as baseless.
Rahul Gandhi replied to Musk, “Welcome to India, Elon. Wait till you discover the other guy,” and Musk thanked him.
Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said Congress had shifted its position on the licensing issue and questioned whether the party knew where it stood.
Starlink, Jio Satcom and Eutelsat OneWeb have licences, but all three are awaiting security assessments and spectrum-related approvals before commercial services can begin.
- Who
- Elon Musk, Rahul Gandhi, Union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and the Indian government.
- What
- A dispute over Starlink’s pending approvals in India prompted accusations, a government response, and political exchanges.
- Where
- India, including on the social media platform X.
- When
- The exchange escalated on Thursday; Musk’s allegation about unnamed oligarchs was made a day earlier.
- Why
- Starlink is awaiting security assessments and spectrum-related approvals before it can begin commercial services.
Musk and Rahul Gandhi
Indian government and Jyotiraditya Scindia
Why Starlink’s launch is delayed
Musk and Rahul Gandhi
Musk questioned why Starlink had not received clearance and alleged that unnamed oligarchs were protecting their market interests.
Indian government and Jyotiraditya Scindia
The government said clearances depend on mandatory security requirements and other approvals, which apply to all three licensed operators; it rejected claims of selective treatment.
Congress’s position
Musk and Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi responded to Musk’s criticism with a cryptic remark and welcomed him to India.
Indian government and Jyotiraditya Scindia
Scindia said Congress had changed its stance on the licensing issue and questioned whether the party had clarity about its position.
Key facts
- Starlink status
- Licensed in India, but it cannot begin commercial services until required clearances are completed.
- Musk’s claim
- He alleged unnamed oligarchs were blocking Starlink to protect their interests; he later asked whether Mukesh Ambani was “the real boss of India.”
- Government response
- The telecom ministry called the authorisation framework fair and non-discriminatory and described claims of selective application as baseless and misconceived.
- Licensed operators
- Starlink, Reliance Jio’s Jio Satcom, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb.
- Pending requirements
- Security assessments and spectrum-related approvals; the ministry said security assessments were under way for all three licensees.
- Pending security clearance
- Junior communications minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said the matter was with the Ministry of Home Affairs and was not specific to one company.
- Political response
- Jyotiraditya Scindia questioned Congress’s position, while Rahul Gandhi exchanged posts with Musk.
Quotes
Jyotiraditya Scindia
Union communications minister
“Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license?”
telegraphindia.com
“As far as the Congress party is concerned... I don't think they themselves know whether they're going left or right.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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Scindia Rejects Musk’s Monopoly Claim as Satellite Operators Await Clearances
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