New Delhi, October 4, 2025: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Saturday demanded a detailed explanation from the Narendra Modi government over Russia’s decision to supply advanced RD-93MA engines to Pakistan’s fleet of Chinese-made JF-17 fighter jets.
In a post on X, Ramesh questioned why Russia, historically India’s strategic ally, chose to ignore repeated appeals from New Delhi and proceed with the deal. “The latest Block III variant of the JF-17 will feature upgraded engines and the same PL-15 missiles believed to have been used against India during Operation Sindoor,” he wrote.
Multiple media reports indicate that Russia rejected India’s intervention and moved forward with the engine supply immediately after the recent conflict between the two South Asian neighbours. Defence experts note that the RD-93MA engines, produced by Russia’s United Engine Corporation (UEC)-Klimov, form the propulsion core of Pakistan’s most advanced JF-17 Thunder Block III jets, developed jointly with China. Pakistan has relied on this Chinese-made fleet to counter India’s fighter aircraft.
IAF Chief Air Marshal Amar Preet also noted that the JF-17 may have been among the Pakistani fighters used against India in last May’s conflict. “As far as air defence is concerned, we have evidence of one long-range strike and five high-tech fighters between F-16 and JF-17 class,” he told the media.
Ramesh criticized the Modi government, stating, “Despite direct interventions by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in June 2025, the deal is moving forward. The government owes the nation an explanation for why a trusted partner like Russia is providing military support to Pakistan while India continues to purchase S-400 missile systems and negotiates for Su-57 stealth fighters from Moscow.”
The deal between China and Russia for the engine supply dates back to 2007, a move that India had previously opposed. Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit India later this year for the 23rd annual summit with PM Modi. The prime minister has often highlighted his personal rapport with Putin, calling India-Russia ties a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
Ramesh further blamed the situation on Modi’s diplomacy. “This reflects another failure of Prime Minister Modi’s personalised diplomacy, prioritizing image-building over national interests. Years of summits, photo opportunities, and global grandstanding have not produced substantive results.”
He also pointed to India’s inability to diplomatically isolate Pakistan. “Instead, Pakistan’s leadership, including army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, is being courted by President Donald Trump, supplied weapons by President Putin, and backed by China during Operation Sindoor,” Ramesh said.