Who Decides Who Gets to Compete in India’s Internet Market?

Elon Musk has taken aim at Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani over delays in launching Starlink in India, sarcastically calling him “Prime Minister Ambani”. Musk alleges that powerful business interests are blocking competition to protect existing telecom players. Reliance Jio reshaped India’s telecom market with low-cost mobile data. Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, could offer another connectivity option, particularly in remote areas. But the government denies favouritism, saying Starlink and two other satellite operators are undergoing security assessments at broadly the same regulatory stage. The dispute raises a bigger question: how can India ensure fair competition while safeguarding national security?