Elon Musk accuses ‘oligarchs’ of stalling Starlink’s launch in India

Trillionaire Elon Musk has accused “certain oligarchs” in India of blocking the launch of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet network, saying they are trying to protect their monopoly over the industry.

Starlink provides internet access through a constellation of satellites placed in low-earth orbit by Musk’s spacecraft manufacturing company SpaceX.

“Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people,” he said on social media. “You can guess who they are. This is a crime against the people of India!”

Musk was responding to a post calling for Starlink to be launched in India. He did not name the people or companies he was referring to or substantiate the allegation.

Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people. You can guess who they are …

This is a crime against the people of India! https://t.co/t3YONgpcm7— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2026

In a subsequent post, Musk said that Starlink would provide “high-speed, affordable” internet access to people who cannot afford existing services or do not have an internet connection.

His comments came hours after SpaceX executive Lauren Dreyer said she hoped Starlink would be operational in India by 2027, The Hindu reported.

Dreyer said on Wednesday that Starlink had built 20 gateway sites – hardware that...

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