India's Arnab Goswami, Gen Bakhshi blame US for Tejas crash at Dubai Airshow

Following the crash of an HAL Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Airshow, controversial Indian anchor Arnab Goswami claimed that the United States felt “threatened by” India building its own aircraft engines. He alleged that the US firm supplying engines to Indian aircraft is “not a friend of India.”

On Friday, Indian authorities confirmed the death of the pilot after the Tejas jet crashed during an aerobatic display. The aircraft reportedly failed to complete a spin maneuver and suddenly smashed into the ground.

“It is powered by an engine made by General Electric, and this firm has not been India’s friend, as it has tried to slow things down. This cannot happen without the role of the American government, which also influenced the delayed delivery of next-generation engines for Tejas because America sees the Tejas LCA program as a threat,” he said.

Though Arnab said he does not blame Americans for the crash, he continued to claim that “it was the American engine in the Indian plane” and added that the US would be happy if India’s Tejas does not perform well internationally.

“You never know, Sindoor 2.0 could start,” General G D Bakhshi added, warning that India must be prepared for another conflict with Pakistan and deploy as many missiles as possible.

He noted that India had offered a huge sum to the American firm for the engines but received only two engines in the past two years. He stressed that India should reconsider relying on American firms that do not fulfill agreements.

During the program, Arnab questioned India’s reliance on foreign companies to build aircraft engines. General Bakhshi agreed, saying India should strengthen its private sector and develop its own engines.

“Use your private sector. Let this be India’s wake-up call, similar to what World War II was for America,” he said.

General Bakhshi added that, although it will take time, India is working toward producing its own aircraft engines.