India is facing mounting global criticism after prominent Indian commentators and media outlets blamed the United States for the recent HAL Tejas aircraft accident, alleging that delayed American engine supplies led to the failure.
The response — widely viewed as an effort to deflect responsibility — has triggered fresh debate over India’s defence preparedness and communication strategy.
The controversy erupted after the Tejas crash drew international attention, with critics accusing the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the country’s defence industry of systemic weaknesses.
Several high-profile Indian commentators, including retired General Bakshi and anchor Arnab Goswami, publicly claimed that the crash was linked to the American-made GE-404 engine.
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Arnab Goswami argued that the Tejas uses an engine manufactured by General Electric (GE), adding that the US allegedly “slowed down the supply” of engines. GE has “never been a friend of India", he argued.
Washington views the Tejas and India’s LCA program as a strategic threat, claimed Goswami. He further said that the delay in engine deliveries created a “dangerous gap in defence readiness.”
General Bakshi echoed these accusations, claiming India was supposed to receive the GE-404 engines “two years ago". Only two engines have reportedly been delivered so far and India has paid $1 billion for the new engine batch, he asserted.
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Delays weaken India’s ability to respond if “ Operation Sindoor 2 flares up again", the retired army official said.
Both commentators framed the engine issue as a direct threat to India’s security, suggesting that the Tejas crash was “a consequence of American delay.”
Blaming America akin to hiding India’s defence weaknesses
While Indian media personalities attempt to shift responsibility abroad, critics within and outside India argue that the attempt to blame the US has failed to convince global observers. The Tejas crash underscores persistent weaknesses in India’s defence production ecosystem, they say.
The analysts say media narratives are being used to shield local incompetence, adding that the Modi government and “Godi media” have made India “a laughing stock” by issuing contradictory explanations.
Analysts say that India’s defence establishment is facing credibility issues as the narrative of “foreign sabotage” gains momentum despite lacking evidence.
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International observers have noted that India’s decision to publicly blame an allied defence supplier is unusual and risks damaging partnerships.
Critics argue that these narratives distract Indian citizens from real defence problems, and that political and media rhetoric is pushing India toward a “dangerous dead end". Repeated attempts to externalize blame are raising questions about India’s strategic maturity.
Analysts say the Tejas accident has become more than a technical failure — it is now a symbol of deeper accountability issues within India’s defence ecosystem.
Failed attempt to control narrative
Despite Indian media’s efforts to attribute the crash to American engines, defence experts say the incident remains viewed internationally as a reflection of India’s defence industry shortcomings, a failure of quality control and oversight, and an example of internal weaknesses rather than foreign sabotage.
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India’s attempt to shift blame onto the US, critics say, has not proven fruitful, and the accident continues to damage perceptions of Indian defence capability.
