Russia’s decision to supply advanced jet engines to Pakistan for its JF-17 fighter aircraft has sparked a sharp political reaction in India. The Congress party has accused the Modi government of failing in its foreign policy approach, calling the development a setback for India’s diplomatic efforts and a blow to what it described as “personalised diplomacy.”

Congress questions India’s diplomatic influence

According to the Congress, Moscow’s decision to proceed with the arms supply despite New Delhi’s objections demonstrates India’s diminishing influence on key global partners. Party leaders argued that this episode underlines how personal rapport between leaders cannot substitute for consistent and strategic diplomacy. They claimed that India’s inability to prevent this deal reflects a weakening of its leverage even with long-standing allies.

Russia moves ahead with jet engine supply

Reports indicate that Russia will provide advanced engines for Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets, a project jointly developed by Pakistan and China. The move comes despite India raising concerns over potential security implications and urging Moscow to reconsider. For decades, Russia has been one of India’s most significant defence partners, supplying major military hardware and technology transfers across multiple sectors.

Opposition calls it a failure of ‘personalised diplomacy’

The Congress party described the development as evidence that the government’s reliance on personal relationships with world leaders has not yielded tangible results. The party suggested that while high-profile summits and informal meetings have been showcased as diplomatic successes, they have not prevented actions contrary to India’s strategic interests. Critics within the opposition argue that genuine diplomacy requires sustained institutional engagement rather than individual-level outreach.

India’s balancing act between Moscow and Islamabad

India has traditionally maintained close defence ties with Russia while simultaneously opposing any military cooperation between Moscow and Islamabad. The latest development complicates this balance, as it suggests that Russia is willing to expand its defence exports beyond traditional partners. Analysts note that such shifts could alter regional dynamics and challenge India’s efforts to diplomatically isolate Pakistan on matters related to security and terrorism.

Strategic implications for New Delhi

Observers believe this episode underscores the need for India to diversify its foreign policy tools and strengthen institutional mechanisms for dialogue with major powers. While Russia remains an important partner in defence production and energy cooperation, the incident highlights potential limits of influence when national interests diverge. The Congress party has urged the government to reassess its approach and ensure that strategic partnerships are built on mutual respect rather than personal rapport alone.

The controversy surrounding Russia’s arms supply to Pakistan has reignited debate over India’s diplomatic strategy and global standing. As opposition voices continue to question the effectiveness of “personalised diplomacy,” policymakers face renewed pressure to reinforce traditional alliances through consistent engagement and long-term strategic planning rather than relying solely on leader-to-leader relationships.