In a significant development for India’s aviation sector, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into a groundbreaking agreement with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a firm currently under US and European sanctions. The deal, signed in Moscow, marks the first time India will manufacture complete civil passenger aircraft domestically. The collaboration will focus on producing the SJ-100, a twin-engine, narrow-body plane designed for short-haul connectivity, primarily catering to the Indian market. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the deal as a ‘landmark step’ for India’s civil aviation industry, emphasizing its potential to create jobs and enhance self-reliance. However, the agreement has drawn criticism from Western allies, particularly the United States, which has previously urged India to align with sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. India has consistently maintained its stance against unilateral sanctions, asserting its right to pursue independent foreign and trade policies. The deal underscores India’s continued strategic and economic ties with Russia, despite increasing scrutiny over its energy imports and defense collaborations. This move also comes amid heightened trade tensions, with the US recently imposing tariffs on Indian exports, accusing India of indirectly supporting Russia’s war efforts. While US President Donald Trump claimed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to reduce Russian oil imports as part of a potential trade deal, no official confirmation has been provided by the Indian government.