India rejects Elon Musk’s claim of discrimination over Starlink launch

India has rejected Elon Musk’s claim that Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, is being unfairly blocked from launching in the country. The pushback comes as SpaceX struggles to turn years of regulatory work and partnerships with India’s biggest telecom operators into a commercial launch in one of the world’s largest internet markets.

On Wednesday, Musk accused unnamed “oligarchs” of blocking Starlink’s launch in India to maintain what he called their “monopolistic chokehold” on the country, without identifying them or providing evidence for his claim. He called the alleged blocking a “crime against the people of India” and argued that Starlink could bring affordable, high-speed internet to people who lack internet access.