Reliance Industries Ltd on Friday broke its silence on Elon Musk's public criticism of India's satellite communications landscape, saying it sees a competitive market as the true test of who serves customers best, and welcomes competition, including from Starlink, but asserted that every player must obey Indian laws.

In its first direct response to Musk's recent barbs, the company said it was placing "the facts on record." Musk had criticised Reliance and argued that more competition would benefit consumers in satcom.

"At Reliance, we have never feared competition. We see it as the truest test of who serves the customer best," the Mukesh Ambani--led company said in a statement.

The company backed its stance citing Jio's own record. Jio entered India's crowded telecom market in 2016 as the newest player, with not a single customer, and in a matter of just ten years, earned the trust of over 530 million customers, offering Indians some of the best digital infrastructure and most affordable data in the world, it said.

"We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink. Every player, Jio included, must serve the people of India and abide by the laws and policies of the land," the statement said.

Reliance said India's openness to investment and innovation, homegrown or international, rests on the rule of law.

"Like every Indian enterprise, Reliance has grown in an India that welcomes investment and innovation, homegrown or international, that improve the lives of the people. That openness rests on the rule of law," it said.

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