India denies bias in satellite internet approvals after Musk's 'oligarchs' jab

• India's satellite broadband market is forecast to reach $1.9 billion by 2030, with Starlink, Reliance Jio, and Bharti Airtel all at similar regulatory stages awaiting security assessments and spectrum assignment
• Security concerns persist after Indian authorities found Starlink devices in a 2024 drug seizure operation and military search, though Musk maintains satellite beams were 'never on' over India
• The U.S. has elevated Starlink's market access as a diplomatic priority in trade talks with India, adding geopolitical weight to the four-year regulatory delay

Summary: India Denies Satellite Internet Approval Bias After Musk Criticism

India's telecommunications ministry defended its satellite internet approval process on Thursday after Elon Musk accused unnamed "oligarchs" of blocking Starlink's launch in the country to maintain a "monopolistic chokehold."

Key Players:

India's telecom market is dominated by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal's Bharti Airtel. Both companies' satellite ventures, along with Musk's Starlink, have received early approvals but await spectrum assignment and final clearances.

Regulatory Status:

The Indian government stated all three entities are at "broadly the same regulatory stage" with ongoing security assessments, calling claims of unfair treatment "baseless and misconceived." Starlink has been waiting four years for final approval, facing scrutiny over security requirements and spectrum access.

Market Opportunity:

Deloitte forecasts India's satellite broadband market will reach $1.9 billion by 2030, representing significant growth potential for approved providers.

Security Concerns:

Indian authorities discovered Starlink equipment in two separate incidents in late 2024—a drug seizure operation in the Andaman and Nicobar islands and an army search in Manipur state. Musk maintains Starlink's satellite beams were "never on" over India.

Diplomatic Implications:

The dispute carries trade significance as the U.S. has promoted Starlink's market access as a goodwill gesture in negotiations with tariff-affected countries. India and the U.S. have been working to finalize a trade deal since reaching a framework agreement in February.

Background:

Despite previous conflicts over spectrum allocation methods, Musk, Mittal, and Ambani resolved their differences in 2025, signing separate agreements to distribute Starlink devices in India.