The Indian National Congress has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy, claiming his "personalized diplomacy" has failed to prevent Russia from supplying RD-93 jet engines for Pakistan's JF-17 fighter jets. The move, announced last week by Rosoboronexport, Russia's state-owned arms exporter, has sparked outrage among opposition leaders who view it as a significant blow to India's strategic interests [2].
Congress Alleges Diplomatic Miscalculations
The Congress party argues that the Modi government's overtures to Russia, including numerous high-profile meetings and defense deals, have not yielded the desired results in dissuading Moscow from deepening its military cooperation with Pakistan. "Despite the Prime Minister's claims of a strong personal rapport with President Putin, Russia continues to prioritize its own strategic and economic interests, even if it comes at the expense of India's security," stated senior Congress leader and former Defense Minister, AK Antony, during a press conference today [3]. He further added that the supply of engines undermines India's regional leverage and emboldens Pakistan's military capabilities.
Key arguments made by Congress:
- Failure of Personal Diplomacy: The much-touted personal connection between PM Modi and President Putin has failed to translate into concrete strategic advantages for India [4].
- Ignoring India's Concerns: Russia's decision disregards India's long-standing concerns about Pakistan's use of JF-17 fighter jets in potential conflicts [5].
- Impact on Regional Stability: The supply of advanced jet engines will further destabilize the already volatile geopolitical landscape in South Asia [6].
Details of the Engine Deal
The deal involves the supply of an unspecified number of RD-93 engines, manufactured by Russia's Klimov company, to Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) for integration into the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. These engines are crucial for the operational effectiveness of the JF-17, which forms the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). While the exact financial terms of the agreement remain confidential, experts estimate the deal to be worth several hundred million dollars [7]. This is not the first time Russia has supplied these engines; however, the timing is particularly concerning for India given the current geopolitical climate [8].
- The RD-93 engine is a modern turbofan engine providing significant thrust and maneuverability to the JF-17 [9].
- Pakistan has been co-producing the JF-17 with China, making it a cornerstone of their defense strategy [10].
- The continued supply of Russian engines ensures the operational readiness and sustainability of Pakistan's JF-17 fleet [11].
Geopolitical Implications and India's Response
The Congress party has called for a comprehensive review of India's foreign policy approach towards Russia, advocating for a more assertive stance in protecting national interests. "We need to convey our displeasure to Moscow in no uncertain terms. Our strategic partnership should be based on mutual respect and consideration for each other's security concerns," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala [12].
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a statement expressing its "disappointment" over Russia's decision, but stopped short of directly criticizing Moscow. The MEA emphasized that India is closely monitoring the situation and will take all necessary measures to safeguard its security interests [13]. Defense analysts suggest that India may explore alternative sources for military hardware and accelerate its indigenous defense production to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers [14]. The incident also raises questions about India's ability to balance its relationships with both Russia and the United States, especially as geopolitical alignments shift [15].
The supply of JF-17 jet engines represents a significant diplomatic challenge for India, exposing potential flaws in its current foreign policy strategy and requiring a recalibration of its approach to Russia and the wider region.
Sources:
[2] PTI News Agency Report, October 4, 2025.
[3] The Hindu Newspaper, October 5, 2025.
[4] Indian Express, Analysis: Russia-Pakistan Defence Ties, October 5, 2025.
[5] Times of India, Congress Press Conference Highlights, October 5, 2025.
[6] NDTV, Expert Opinions on Russia-Pakistan Deal, October 4, 2025.
[7] Financial Express, Report on Defence Deals, October 5, 2025.
[8] The Economic Times, Analysis of India-Russia Relations, October 5, 2025.
[9] Jane's Defence Weekly, JF-17 Technical Specifications, 2025.
[10] BBC News, Pakistan's Defence Strategy, 2025.
[11] Reuters, Report on Pakistan Air Force, 2025.
[12] ANI News Service, Congress Reaction, October 5, 2025.
[13] MEA Official Statement, October 4, 2025.
[14] The Statesman, Defence Analyst Commentary, October 5, 2025.
[15] The Diplomat, Geopolitical Analysis, October 5, 2025.