Why Elon Musk is taking on India’s richest man over Starlink

Elon Musk has questioned whether billionaire Mukesh Ambani is the “real boss of India” as his satellite internet company Starlink struggles to secure final approval to launch in the country.

The remark came a day after Musk accused unnamed powerful business interests of trying to block Starlink’s entry into India. He then singled out Ambani, whose Reliance conglomerate owns Jio, India’s biggest mobile network operator.

India has rejected Musk’s allegations, saying its satellite communications rules are fair and non-discriminatory.

Ambani and Reliance Group have not responded to Musk’s remarks. The BBC has reached out to them for comment

The row comes as competition grows in India’s satellite internet market, with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel also preparing to launch services.

The rivalry is complicated by the fact that Starlink has also partnered with Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

Musk first made the allegations on Wednesday, accusing “certain oligarchs” of maintaining a “monopolistic chokehold” on Indian consumers.