Elon Musk has taken a sarcastic swipe at Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, calling him the “real boss of India” and asking him to let Starlink compete in the country’s internet market.

In a post on X on Friday, the SpaceX and Tesla chief addressed Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani” and sarcastically apologized for not recognizing his alleged influence over India.

“Please accept my humble apologies for not realizing that you are the real boss of India,” Musk wrote.

He went on to suggest that Ambani would prefer to protect his dominant position in the telecom market but urged him to allow Starlink to compete for customers.

Musk argued that satellite internet could improve connectivity in parts of India where conventional internet services are unavailable. He said better access could help children pursue education and enable small businesses to sell their products to customers around the world.

Ambani heads Reliance Industries, which owns Jio, one of India’s largest telecommunications operators. The company is a major player in the country’s mobile and broadband markets.

Musk’s remarks reflect the rivalry surrounding Starlink’s planned entry into India, where satellite internet services require regulatory approvals before commercial operations can begin.

The dispute also involves questions about how satellite spectrum should be allocated. Reliance has pushed for a level playing field between satellite internet providers and traditional telecom operators, while Musk has argued for rules that would allow Starlink to compete.

Starlink aims to provide internet access through satellites, potentially reaching remote and underserved communities where laying conventional broadband infrastructure can be difficult or expensive.

Musk has repeatedly promoted the service as a way to expand connectivity beyond major cities. However, Starlink’s entry into India depends on completing the required regulatory and security procedures.