Telegram CEO Pavel Durov accused Indian telecom operator Reliance of sabotaging access to Telegram for millions of users outside India, including the UAE, through a method called BGP hijacking, in a post on June 16, 2026. Durov claimed the disruption appeared intentional as Reliance ignored multiple reports about the issue, affecting Telegram's global user connectivity.
Durov described the alleged sabotage as an abuse of global internet routing and linked it to a recent lobbying effort to ban Telegram in India. He urged network operators to reject unauthorized BGP announcements from Reliance's autonomous system AS18101 to prevent route hijacks and maintain stable internet access. The accusations come amid Reliance's growing ties with Meta, which holds a 9.99% stake in Jio and has partnered with Reliance on AI ventures.
The allegations highlight tensions in India's digital and telecom sectors, where regulatory and competitive pressures have intensified. Meta's $5.7 billion investment in Jio in 2020 and recent joint AI projects underscore the complex relationships between major tech and telecom players. Telegram's restricted access in India until a NEET re-examination by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology adds context to the ongoing disputes over internet freedom and platform access.
Durov's claims have not been publicly supported by technical evidence, but his call to reject unauthorized BGP announcements aims to safeguard internet stability. The situation underscores the challenges of internet governance and competition in India’s telecom market, where Reliance remains a dominant player.