Elon Musk accuses ‘oligarchs’ of blocking Starlink India entry; calls it 'crime against people’

New Delhi: Elon Musk has accused unnamed “oligarchs” of blocking Starlink’s entry in India to protect their business interests, calling it “a crime against India!”

“Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people,” Musk wrote in a post on X late Wednesday.. “You can guess who they are … This is a crime against the people of India!”

Musk’s comments comes in the wake of remarks made by a senior SpaceX executive that Starlink is ready to launch services once it gets the remaining government approvals. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress (IMC), Lauren Dreyer, SpaceX’s vice president for Starlink business operations, said the company has built 20 gateway sites and hundreds of antennas in India and has invested in infrastructure and adapted its operations to meet Indian security and regulatory requirements, including keeping Indian users’ data within the country.


“We built our Starlink operations specifically for India in recognition of Indian security requirements and other regulations, establishing controls of every layer for India, and keeping Indian user data within India… Starlink had spent five years working with Indian regulators, industry and telecom operators to prepare its services for the market, she said. “We’re standing ready to serve India once India is ready.”

The American satellite internet company has been waiting for a security nod from the government, having already secured a satcom permit and authorisation from space regulator. But it is not only Starlink that is waiting for the final go ahead, the likes of Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb as well as Jio Satellite too are waiting for the security nod, meaning none of the companies can start commercial satcom services. Both Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite too have satcom permit and authorisation from space regulator. In addition to security clearance, the three companies need spectrum for launching services, for which the government is likely to take a call soon on pricing.

Dreyer said Starling's management has been in regular touch with the authorities to sort out any differences.

“Hopefully, next time I address the Congress, the government’s good work will have been complete and Starlink will be authorised and ready and reporting on stories here,” Dreyer said. “We’re ready to work with the government, ready to work with operators, ready to work with industry to this end.”

She said the company is ready to help achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vision of 100% connectivity throughout India.”

Starlink has signed letters of intent with state governments of Maharashtra and Meghalaya to explore connectivity for remote communities and public institutions.

In March 2025, Starlink signed agreements with terrestrial operators Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio for network equipment distribution, business and rural connectivity.

“For years we’ve been setting the foundation for the same type of relationship structure here in India, establishing MOUs with Airtel, Jio, and more, and working closely with state governments to listen and learn how Starlink might be able to best serve their communities once it’s authorized,” Dreyer said.