BJP counters Congress on Russia engines for Pakistan fighter jets

NEW DELHI: A political spat broke out over the weekend after Congress , citing a media report, accused Modi government of allowing ally Russia to proceed with supply of advanced RD-93MA engines to Pakistan for its Chinese-made JF-17 fighter jets . The BJP hit back on Sunday, citing another media report that said Moscow had termed the claim false.

On Saturday, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had shared on social media a report that alleged Russia had ignored India's objections and moved ahead with the sale of the RD-93MA engines for Pakistan's upgraded JF-17 Thunder Block-III aircraft. Ramesh claimed the new variant of the fighter would use the same PL-15 missiles "believed to have been used against our country during Operation Sindoor".

Within hours, BJP's IT-cell head Amit Malviya countered the charge, citing another report that said Russia had dismissed the claim. He posted on social media that Ramesh had relied on a media story "which in turn quoted a little-known website notorious for pushing pro-Pakistan propaganda".