The Dubai Airshow 2025 has drawn global attention and an unexpected social media storm, after photos of Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel visiting the Pakistan pavilion and posing beside the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet went viral.

The images, widely shared on X and Instagram, show IAF officers interacting with Pakistan Air Force (PAF) personnel and taking interest in the JF-17 on display.

Social media users from both countries issued a wave of comments, many amused by the rare sight of uniformed officers from the rival militaries smiling together.

The Dubai Airshow, one of the world’s largest aviation and defence exhibitions, is underway at Dubai World Central and concludes on Friday.

More than 1,500 companies, 200 aircraft, and 490 official and private delegations from 115 countries are participating.

Leading defence and aerospace groups from the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are showcasing commercial airliners, fighter jets, drones, space technologies and new startups.

Crowds have been thronging the Pakistan pavilion, where the JF-17 Thunder has emerged as a major attraction for visitors and foreign delegations alike.

The pavilion drew heightened attention when IAF personnel arrived for a walkthrough.

Photos and videos of their interaction with Pakistani officers and the JF-17 display quickly spread online, triggering debate in India.

Several users criticised their government, questioning why military officers could engage normally while sports teams were discouraged from basic interaction.

Tejasvi Prakash, a Congress supporter, reposted one of the viral images on X, criticising the Modi government.

“Our government turns every small India-Pakistan interaction into a ‘national security’ drama… yet Indian Navy officials are happily posing with Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Block-III at the Dubai Air Show. So public hostility is mandatory for optics, but quiet admiration abroad is fine?”

 Other users responded with humour.

 One Pakistani user captioned the image: “JF-17 fans from across the border.”

Another wrote: “Indian Air Force seeking lessons from the Pakistan Air Force during the Dubai Airshow!” while others welcomed the moment as a refreshing display of professionalism.

“Heartening to see #IndianAirForce personnel capturing moments with the JF-17C Block-III at #DubaiAirShow2025. In the skies we’re rivals, but on the ground, it’s pure aviation passion that brings us together,” one user commented.

Many questioned why such interactions were acceptable in defence diplomacy but not in sports.

“If their personnel can interact frankly with ours here, then what was the need for the theatrics on the cricket field? It’s supposed to be a gentleman’s game, not a battlefield,” wrote another user.

Video clips circulating online show IAF personnel examining the JF-17 up close, listening to briefings and engaging in technical discussions, drawing further commentary from aviation enthusiasts.

Observers noted that such exchanges are routine at major international defence exhibitions, where military and diplomatic delegations often visit each other’s pavilions as part of professional engagement.

Despite the online controversy, organisers say the airshow continues to attract record crowds as it enters its final days.