New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- A high-stakes showdown over satellite internet rollout in India has erupted, pitting SpaceX CEO Elon Musk against the Indian government and domestic telecom majors, and spiralling into a political clash involving the Opposition.

At the centre is the delay in granting commercial approval to Starlink. The government response came at the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC 2026) in the national capital, where Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia rejected allegations of preferential treatment or cronyism in the satcom licensing process.

Addressing queries at IMC 2026, Scindia said India will not allow a monopoly in any sector. He said three players have received licences and are operating on a l...