Elon Musk intensified his criticism of Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani on Saturday, sharing media reports that allege a Reliance-funded firm supported the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) social media campaigns and made significant political donations. Musk's post on X included a 2022 Al Jazeera report titled "How a Reliance-funded firm boosts BJP's campaigns on Facebook" and a 2024 Indian Express article about Qwik Supply, which reportedly donated ₹385 crore to the BJP and ₹25 crore to the Shiv Sena through electoral bonds.
The billionaire's latest remarks come amid his ongoing frustration over delays in launching Starlink satellite broadband services in India. Musk has accused Ambani of monopolistic practices, questioning whether the industrialist would allow Starlink to compete in the Indian market. In a post, Musk provocatively referred to Ambani as "Prime Minister Ambani, " suggesting that he holds significant sway over the country's telecommunications landscape.
India's Communications Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, responded to these allegations by asserting that the nation does not permit monopolies in any sector. He emphasized that three companies, including Musk's Starlink, have received satcom licenses and can begin operations once they meet security requirements. Scindia stated that the Department of Telecommunications is technology-agnostic and that it is for the customer to choose in a free market which service they prefer.
Musk has claimed that powerful business interests are obstructing Starlink's entry to maintain their dominance. He argued that many areas in India lack internet access, depriving children of education and small businesses of global market opportunities. Musk contends that Starlink could transform lives by providing essential connectivity, especially during natural disasters when other communication systems fail.
As the India Mobile Congress unfolded in Delhi, Scindia reiterated that the Department of Telecommunications is close to finalizing a pricing regime for satcom spectrum. He noted that three entities—Starlink, Reliance Jio's Jio Satcom, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb—have secured licenses, while Amazon's Project Kuiper has shown interest. The minister clarified that the government would assign spectrum based on a revenue-sharing model once security conditions are met.
In a separate exchange on X, Musk engaged with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, prompting Scindia to criticize the opposition party. He accused the Congress of lacking clarity, pointing out their inconsistent stance on licensing issues. "As far as the Congress is concerned... I don't think they themselves know whether they're going left or right, " Scindia remarked.
Musk's allegations against Ambani and the Indian government have added a layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions at the India Mobile Congress. The event, a significant annual telecom gathering, has seen debates over the future of satellite internet in India. Musk questioned why Starlink, licensed in over 165 countries, still faces hurdles in India despite complying with all legal requirements for five years.
