The fatal accident, which killed 132 people, comes at a time of geopolitical tension and sensitivities are heightened because it involves China's state-owned airline & largest US exporter.
The MU5735 crash that killed 132 Chinese is a tragedy, but there is no end to conspiracy theories in a world rife with disinformation. Weibo is replete with them.
While there have been a handful of crashes in which an airliner plunged from cruising altitude, few, if any, fit the extreme profile of the Boeing 737-800.
The six-year-old single-aisle jet is part of the NG, or Next Generation, era that preceded the 737 Max, which was subjected to a global grounding after two deadly crashes.
The C-17 can carry large combat equipment & troops or undertake humanitarian aid. Besides India & the US, it is also in service with Qatar, Kuwait, UK, Australia, UAE & Canada.
One such website has drawn particular scrutiny for spreading fake stories that have upset not only the Indian but also foreign defence firms by falsely attributing misinformation.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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