Islamabad (Capital Nama): Following the recent destruction of Indian Rafale jets during a dogfight with Pakistani aircraft, corruption allegations surrounding India’s controversial Rafale fighter jet deal have once again come under the spotlight.
Speaking to Geo News, senior journalist and analyst Hamid Mir pointed out that India’s opposition party, the Indian National Congress, had long accused the Modi government of massive fraud in the Rafale deal. Party leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier claimed that the deal was marred by corruption amounting to billions of dollars. Mir added that even during the finalization of the Rafale contract, India’s then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar distanced himself from the deal and eventually resigned.
Also Read: Pakistan Confirms Strike on Udhampur Airfield
The controversy gained fresh momentum on May 10 when Pakistan, in a retaliatory strike, successfully targeted and destroyed India’s prized Rafale jets and its much-touted Russian-made S-400 air defense system, which cost over $1.5 billion.
The backlash has triggered renewed political debate across India. Critics question whether the government’s over-reliance on Rafale jets—once projected as a game-changer—was a strategic miscalculation fueled by corrupt practices.
Earlier today, Pakistan also carried out cyberattacks that disabled Maharashtra’s electric grid and jammed Indian military satellites. Pakistani drones flew uninterrupted over Gujarat—Prime Minister Modi’s home state—while key airfields including Udhampur, Adampur, Pathankot, and Bathinda were reported destroyed.
