Rahul Gandhi reacts to Elon Musk’s ‘Is Ambani the real boss of India?’: Here’s a look at their conversation on X | Today’s news
Elon Musk’s dispute with the Indian government over Starlink’s planned entry into the country escalated Thursday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the SpaceX CEO in a social media exchange over the satellite internet company’s regulatory hurdles.
Musk said Starlink had spent five years complying with Indian laws and requirements, but was still unable to begin operations.
“Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the Indian government, so why still no license? Is Ambani the real boss of India?” Musk wrote on X.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
Starlink’s license has been issued, but it and other satellite operators are still undergoing security assessments. Once enabled, the operator can continue to search for spectrum assignments.
Musk claimed that unnamed “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink to protect the monopoly. He also questioned whether Mukesh Ambani was behind the delay.
Gandhi welcomed Musk to India and said, “Wait until you discover the other.” Musk responded that the situation was worrisome.
No. The Ministry of Communications has said India has a fair, non-discriminatory framework and called claims of unfair treatment baseless. It said all three licensed satellite operators are essentially at the same regulatory stage.
Starlink must complete the security assessment required for licensed satellite operators. After deletion, it can proceed to the next stage of spectrum assignment search.
Gandhi replied, “Welcome to India, Elon. Wait until you discover the other.”
Musk replied to Gandhi: “Thank you, Rahul. This is truly disturbing.”
The exchange came hours after the communications ministry rejected Musk’s accusations that vested interests were blocking Starlink’s plans in India, saying all satellite communications companies are subject to the same regulatory requirements.
The government denies Musk’s accusation
The telecom ministry said India has put in place a “fair and non-discriminatory authorization framework” for telecom services, including satellite communications.
It said the licenses were awarded to three satellite operators – Starlink, Reliance Jio’s Jio Satcom and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb.
However, all three companies must demonstrate compliance with safety conditions before commercial operations begin.
“A safety assessment as part of this process is currently underway for all three permit holders,” the ministry said.
Once the security assessment for the licensed operator is completed, it can proceed to the next phase of seeking spectrum allocation, the ministry said.
“Currently, all three entities are essentially at the same regulatory stage,” it added, calling claims that the regulatory framework or its application were unfair or discriminatory “baseless and incorrect.”
“It has nothing to do with one company”
Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said the delay was related to the Home Ministry’s security clearance and was not specific to Starlink.
“The Ministry of Telecom has issued licenses to all satcom companies as well as provisional spectrum. Now the matter is pending security clearance at MHA. Once it is cleared, they will get it. It has nothing to do with one company,” Pemmasani told reporters on the sidelines of the India Mobile Congress.
Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal also said his satellite venture is awaiting regulatory approval.
“We are waiting for our own approval,” Mittal said at the India Mobile Congress when asked about Musk’s allegations.
Musk claimed that “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink
Musk’s latest post followed his earlier allegation that unidentified “oligarchs” were preventing Starlink from entering the Indian market to protect a “nitrate monopoly”.
“Unfortunately we (Starlink) are being blocked by certain oligarchs to maintain a monopoly on the people of India. You can guess who it is… This is a crime against the people of India,” Musk said on X.
The SpaceX CEO did not identify any companies in the post.
Starlink says it has prepared to launch in India
Starlink said it has invested significantly in infrastructure and security systems designed specifically for the Indian market.
Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s vice president of business operations, told the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi on October 7 that the company has developed India-specific security controls and built 20 portals in the country.
The company has also set up ground infrastructure containing hundreds of antennas and prepared operations to begin serving customers, she said.
Dreyer said Starlink “keeps Indian users’ data in India” and has worked with Indian regulators, industry stakeholders and operators for five years to adapt its operations to Indian requirements.
