India defends satellite internet approval process after Elon Musk jab

What the report says

India has pushed back against Elon Musk’s accusation that unnamed business interests are obstructing Starlink’s rollout in the country. In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Communications said its satellite internet licensing system is fair and non-discriminatory, rejecting Musk’s claim that the process is being used to protect a monopoly.

The dispute centers on Starlink, the satellite communications service founded by Musk’s SpaceX, which has been seeking commercial approval in India since 2022. Al Jazeera reported that the company has already received some regulatory clearances, including a key licence from the communications ministry and approval from India’s space agency, but still awaits final permission to operate. The ministry said three entities are at a similar stage in the approval process and are undergoing security checks.

India’s telecom market is dominated by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, both of which have also moved into satellite internet and received early approvals. The article notes that Musk has previously clashed with the two Indian tycoons linked to those firms over spectrum rules and market access. That backdrop helps explain why the Starlink issue has become tied to broader debates over competition, regulation and foreign tech entry in India.

Al Jazeera also reported that security concerns around Starlink rose after authorities said its devices were found in separate enforcement operations in 2024. Musk has disputed those concerns on social media, but the Indian government says the licensing framework applies equally to all applicants.