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Elon Musk intensifies attack on Ambani over Starlink India launch delay

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2026

As SpaceX struggles to launch Starlink in India, Elon Musk has stepped up his attack on billionaire Mukesh Ambani, mockingly calling him the country’s “prime minister” to suggest he wields outsized control over its government and accusing him of blocking the satellite internet service from competing.

On Friday, Musk continued his criticism of the famed Reliance Industries’ chairperson in a post on X, arguing that Starlink could bring internet access to areas that remain unconnected, giving children more opportunities to learn, and helping small businesses reach customers worldwide.

“Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?” Musk wrote.

Reliance Jio, Reliance Industries’ telecom arm, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Musk’s latest comments follow his accusations earlier this week that unnamed “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink’s launch in India to protect their business interests. India’s Ministry of Communications rejected the allegations, saying the country’s regulatory framework for satellite communications is “fair and non-discriminatory.” Musk then went further on Thursday, questioning Ambani’s influence in a separate post on X. “Is Ambani the real boss of India?” he asked.

SpaceX has spent years trying to launch Starlink in India. Last year, it even struck distribution agreements with Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, to offer the service once it received the necessary approvals. However, Starlink has not yet received the go-ahead from New Delhi to begin commercial operations, despite securing key regulatory clearances.

In its Thursday statement, the Indian communication ministry said Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are undergoing security assessments that must be completed before they can receive satellite spectrum. The ministry said all three are at “broadly the same regulatory stage,” rejecting Musk’s suggestion that Starlink was being singled out.

Jio and Airtel are also seeking to launch their satellite internet services in India. Jio has a joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES, while Airtel is a major shareholder in Eutelsat OneWeb, which is striving to offer satellite connectivity in the country.

India, the world’s most populous country with over a billion internet users, is a major market for Musk. But expanding there also means dealing with powerful business figures such as Ambani, whose Reliance conglomerate owns India’s largest telecom operator and works with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government on major projects.

Alongside Starlink’s delayed launch, Musk has also faced challenges expanding Tesla in India. The electric carmaker launched in the country last year after years of anticipation but registered just 699 vehicles in its first 12 months of deliveries, according to data cited by Electrek. Steep import duties pushed the Model Y’s launch price in India to nearly twice its U.S. price. Tesla lowered its prices earlier this year, but its cars remain considerably more expensive in India than in the U.S.

Before Musk’s latest attack, Starlink and Ambani’s Reliance Jio clashed over how to allocate satellite spectrum in India. Musk’s company wanted the spectrum to be assigned through an administrative process, while Jio pushed for an auction. Ultimately, New Delhi went ahead with Starlink and decided to allocate the spectrum administratively.

Starlink’s launch in India remains in limbo. India’s telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday pushed back against Musk’s allegations, saying the country “does not allow a monopoly in any sector.”

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Related Topics:Ambani attack Delay Elon India Intensifies launch Musk Starlink

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'Nigeria drifting to dictatorship' – Atiku condemns attacks on Sowore, ADC candidate

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2026

PlateauReports

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has blasted the administration of President Bola Tinubu over attacks on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore and the governorship candidate of the ADC in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan'iya.

In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Saturday, Atiku said the attacks were troubling.

"The simultaneous attacks on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, and the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan'iya, are deeply troubling and unacceptable," Atiku wrote.

The former Vice President described the attacks as a dangerous threat to democracy and an attempt to silence opposition voices under the Tinubu administration.

He accused the Federal Government of creating an atmosphere where opposition candidates are no longer safe, warning that Nigeria is drifting towards dictatorship.

"This is not how democracy works. No Nigerian should be attacked for daring to contest against those in power. If opposition is under attack, then democracy itself is under attack," Atiku added.

Atiku called on security agencies to immediately fish out those behind the attacks and ensure they face justice, while urging President Bola Tinubu to call his supporters to order.

‘Nigeria drifting to dictatorship’ – Atiku condemns attacks on Sowore, ADC candidate

Business

Nigeria, Russia move to replace 59-year-old aviation agreement

Published

4 hours ago

October 31, 2026

PlateauReports

Nigeria and Russia have agreed to replace a 59-year-old aviation agreement, aiming to update air transport relations and create opportunities for stronger connectivity between the two countries.

The agreement to renegotiate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), which dates back to 1967, was reached during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Russian officials on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow.

Mr Keyamo disclosed the development in a post on his X account on Friday, saying both countries had agreed to complete negotiations within six months and sign a new agreement in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in April 2027.

He said the Nigerian delegation met with Dmitry Stanislavovich Zverev, the State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation.

“We resolved to renegotiate our last Bilateral Air Service Agreement that was made in 1967. We set a timeline of six months to conclude the negotiations and sign a new one in Saint Petersburg in April 2027,” Mr Keyamo said.

He added that both countries had formed negotiating teams to begin work toward an agreement within the agreed period.

The proposed renegotiation is expected to update the framework governing air transport between Nigeria and Russia, reflecting changes in the international aviation industry over the past six decades.

What the agreement means

A Bilateral Air Services Agreement provides the legal framework for scheduled air services between two countries. It generally sets out the conditions under which airlines from both countries can operate international flights, including routes, traffic rights, designated airlines and other operational arrangements.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development says its Air Transport Management Department negotiates and reviews new and existing air services agreements and monitors their implementation.

The ministry also works with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other aviation agencies to facilitate international air links and regulate airline operations.

The proposed replacement of the Nigeria-Russia agreement could therefore create opportunities for improved air connectivity and cooperation between their aviation sectors.

However, neither Mr Keyamo nor the ministry disclosed proposed flight routes, designated airlines or the frequency of possible operations under the new agreement.

Wider cooperation

Beyond the aviation agreement, Mr Keyamo said the meeting also examined other areas of cooperation between Nigeria and Russia.

He said both sides had resolved to explore additional opportunities in the coming months.

The Nigerian delegation included the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt: Chris Najomo, and the Registrar of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Dr Danjuma Adamu Ismaila.

Directors from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCAA also participated in the discussions.

ALSO READ: Nigeria sends low-level delegation to Russia-Africa summit

Nigeria and Russia have maintained diplomatic relations since shortly after Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Their relationship has included cooperation in areas such as defence, trade, science and technology.

According to the Nigerian Embassy in Russia, the Soviet Union provided political and military assistance to Nigeria during the 1967–1970 Civil War. Cooperation between the two countries has also extended to space technology, including the launch of Nigeria’s satellites aboard Russian rockets in 2011.

The planned aviation agreement is expected to form part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral relations and identify further areas of cooperation.

Both countries are expected to begin negotiations through their respective teams, aiming to conclude the process and sign the new agreement in Saint Petersburg in April 2027.