In a strong rebuttal to reports suggesting that Moscow was planning to supply RD-93MA fighter jet engines to Pakistan, Russia has categorically denied any such arrangement, saying it maintains no military cooperation with Islamabad that could jeopardise its strategic relationship with India.
According to a report by WION, Russian officials dismissed the claim as “illogical” and clarified that there is “no confirmation on such a development”. The report quoted a Russian source as saying, “We don’t have such a level of cooperation with Pakistan that would make India feel uncomfortable.”
“Someone is trying to compromise exceptionally promising and forward-looking cooperation, especially on the eve of high and highest-level contacts,” the Russian source added, hinting that the reports may have been circulated to create diplomatic friction ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to India in December.
Moscow’s denial comes at a crucial time as India and Russia continue to deepen strategic and defence cooperation. From S-400 missile systems to nuclear and energy partnerships, the Indo-Russian relationship has remained one of the cornerstones of New Delhi’s foreign policy for decades.
President Vladimir Putin, speaking recently at the Valdai Discussion Club plenary session, praised India’s leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a “balanced, wise, and nationally oriented leader.” He also reaffirmed his commitment to visiting India later this year for the annual bilateral summit.
Putin said he had instructed officials to expand imports of Indian agricultural products and pharmaceuticals to help correct the trade imbalance, which currently leans heavily towards Russian crude exports.
“I know Prime Minister Modi, he will never allow India to be humiliated by anyone. The Indian people will not tolerate it. India is a sovereign nation and will act in its national interest,” Putin said, referring to Western attempts to pressure New Delhi over its continued engagement with Russia.
Even before Russia’s clarification, the opposition Congress party had seized upon the media reports to attack the Modi government, calling it a “failure of personalised diplomacy.”
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that Prime Minister Modi’s global image-building efforts had failed to protect India’s strategic interests. In a post on X, Ramesh claimed that despite direct interventions by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Russia was proceeding with supplying advanced engines for Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets.
“The government owes the nation an explanation as to why a long-time and trusted partner like Russia is now providing military support to Pakistan, even as India continues to buy S-400 systems and negotiates for Su-57 fighters,” Ramesh said.
He further alleged that Modi’s “photo-op diplomacy” and “grandstanding on the world stage” had yielded little in terms of tangible diplomatic outcomes, adding that India had “failed to diplomatically isolate Pakistan.”
The controversy revolves around the RD-93MA engine, an upgraded variant of the Russian-made RD-93 used in China-Pakistan’s jointly developed JF-17 Thunder aircraft. The latest Block III version of the jet reportedly carries PL-15 missiles, believed to have been used during Operation Sindoor, raising security sensitivities for India.
However, with Moscow’s categorical denial, the reports appear to have no official backing, and experts suggest they might have originated as disinformation aimed at straining Indo-Russian ties.
As the diplomatic dust settles, President Putin’s upcoming visit to India in December is expected to reinforce bilateral trust and explore new areas of cooperation, including energy, defence technology, and trade diversification.
“No such cooperation exists with Pakistan,” the Russian official reiterated, signaling Moscow’s intent to keep its partnership with India unaffected by speculative reports.
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