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Air India plane crash: UK PM Starmer says scenes emerging from Ahmedabad devastating

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes from the Air India flight crash near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport as “devastating”. The flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including 53 British nationals, crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday afternoon.

“I am being regularly updated on the situation, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families during this deeply distressing time,” Starmer said on a post on X.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the British government is collaborating with Indian authorities to “urgently ascertain the facts” and provide assistance. Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles is being kept informed about the incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief, stating on X, “I am stunned and saddened by the crash. It is heartbreaking beyond words.” He noted that he is in contact with officials overseeing support for those affected.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, took off at 1:39 p.m. IST and was scheduled to land at Gatwick at 6:25 p.m. BST. According to Air India, the flight crashed minutes after departure in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area, with police reporting that the aircraft struck a doctors’ hostel in the residential locality. Verified footage showed thick black smoke rising from the crash site.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that the aircraft issued a Mayday call to air traffic control, but no further response was received. FlightRadar24 data indicated that the plane’s signal was lost less than a minute after take-off, at an altitude of 625 feet (190 metres).

Air India confirmed that the flight carried 242 individuals, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals, with the aircraft having a capacity of 256 seats. The airline reported that injured passengers are being rushed to nearby hospitals and has activated a hotline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information. “We are fully cooperating with authorities investigating the incident,” Air India stated.

All operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been suspended until further notice, an airport spokesperson announced, citing the crash.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered immediate rescue and relief operations, directing officials to prioritise medical treatment for the injured on a war footing. “A green corridor has been arranged to ensure swift hospital transfers,” Patel said.

Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran expressed deep sorrow: “It is with immense grief that I confirm the tragic accident involving Air India Flight AI-171. Our heartfelt condolences are with the families and loved ones affected.” He added that an emergency centre and support team have been established to assist families and coordinate with response teams at the site. “Further updates will be provided as verified information becomes available,” he said.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is believed to have been on board, according to senior BJP leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama. “Vijay Rupani was travelling to London on the Air India flight,” Chudasama told reporters, adding that he was heading to the city civil hospital to check on Rupani’s condition.

No official casualty figures have been confirmed, though authorities fear significant loss of life following the crash in the densely populated residential area.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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