U.S. Congress Honors Indian Pilot Who Thwarted Terror Plot on Flydubai Flight

Congressional leaders introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who helped stop a suicidal terrorist plot on a Flydubai flight bound for Israel. The measure, led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer with Republican co-sponsors Michael McCaul and Don Bacon, lauds Machchhar’s “extraordinary courage” and urges the House to commend off-duty pilots, crew and passengers who secured the flight deck.

It also denounces the incident as an act of terrorism and requests a comprehensive probe by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The tribute comes as U.S.-India ties face challenges over tariff disputes, India’s purchase of Russian oil and a surge in anti-Indian xenophobia on U.S. social media. By highlighting Machchhar’s heroism, the resolution offers a moment of cross-national solidarity among the United States, India and Israel despite broader diplomatic friction.