Reliance Responds to Elon Musk’s ‘Prime Minister Ambani’ Jibe, Says ‘Never Feared Competition’

The battle for India’s satellite internet market has escalated into a public face-off between two of the world’s most powerful business figures, with Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries rejecting suggestions that it fears competition from Elon Musk’s Starlink and insisting that Indian and foreign companies must follow the same regulatory rules.

Reliance said it welcomed competition in satellite communications, including from Starlink, while stressing that its own satellite internet venture was also awaiting government clearances. The response followed a series of sharp attacks by Musk, who accused powerful business interests of trying to prevent his satellite broadband service from entering the Indian market.

Musk had sarcastically addressed Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani” on his social media platform X, questioning whether the Reliance chairman wielded excessive influence over Starlink’s entry. He argued that greater competition would benefit Indian consumers by offering more choices, particularly in areas where conventional internet connectivity remains limited.

Reliance countered that its growth had been built on competition, pointing to Jio’s entry into the telecom market in 2016 as a newcomer with no customers. The company said Jio had since gained the trust of more than 530 million customers, helping expand digital connectivity and make data services more affordable across India.

The dispute, however, goes beyond a war of words between two billionaires. India’s vast internet market presents a major opportunity for satellite broadband providers seeking to reach remote villages, underserved regions and locations where conventional telecom infrastructure is difficult to establish. Starlink’s proposed entry could introduce a new competitor in a market where Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel already command substantial influence.

The government has rejected allegations of preferential treatment, maintaining that the regulatory framework is fair and non-discriminatory. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said satellite operators must meet prescribed security requirements before beginning commercial operations. Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite venture and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb have been awaiting the necessary clearances.

The timing is also significant for Reliance, which is preparing for the much-anticipated Jio Platforms IPO, expected to open on October 21. The company’s satellite ambitions and Starlink’s plans could eventually put the two ventures in direct competition.