logo
India plane crash: UAE President 'deeply saddened', offers condolences to victims' families

India plane crash: UAE President 'deeply saddened', offers condolences to victims' families

Khaleej Times20 hours ago

[Editor's Note: Follow KT's live blog for all the latest updates on the Ahmedabad plane crash.]
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, which claimed several lives earlier on Thursday.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane accident in Ahmedabad today. The thoughts of everyone in the UAE are with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to all those affected," the UAE President said in a statement on X.
'The UAE expresses its sincere condolences and solidarity with the Republic of India over the victims of the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad Airport. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims, the Indian government, and the friendly people of India during this painful time,' the Ministry said.
The UAE stands with India in mourning this loss and reaffirms its commitment to supporting its close partner during times of hardship, it added.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pakistan 'saddened' by deadly plane crash in India
Pakistan 'saddened' by deadly plane crash in India

Gulf Today

timean hour ago

  • Gulf Today

Pakistan 'saddened' by deadly plane crash in India

Gulf Today Report Leaders from Pakistan expressed sorrow and grief over the loss of at least 242 lives in the tragic plane crash incident in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday. Minutes after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, the London-bound Air India flight 171 crashed with 242 on board. Reacting to the plane crash indecent, Prime Minister Shahbaz said: 'Saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad today.' He added: We extend our condolences to the families of the victims grieving this immense loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.' Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday he was "saddened" by a plane crash in neighbouring India, where all 242 people on board an Air India flight are believed killed. "Condolences over the loss of precious lives in this tragic incident. Our sympathies are with the families of the victims in this hour of grief," Dar, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said on social media platform X. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also offered condolences on Air India crash tragedy. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic crash of #AirIndia Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad today. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones of all aboard. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected," he said. The defence minister said, "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones of all aboard. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected." Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said he was 'saddened to hear a tragic incident occurred', mentioning the Air India crash. 'I express my profound condolences to the people of India,' he said on X. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Nawaz Sharif offered heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash. In his message, he wrote that the devastating tragedy goes beyond borders and reminds us of our shared humanity. He extended his deep sympathy to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India, saying that his thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families. Sharif's message struck a note of compassion and unity, highlighting how such incidents touch hearts on both sides of the border. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) also extended condolences to the families of all those who lost loved ones in the crash. Taking to X, the spokesperson said: Our hearts go out to the families & loved ones affected by today's tragic crash. At #PIA, we stand in solidarity with our fellow aviation community, offering our deepest condolences to Flight 171 and all those impacted.'

UAE: New law to protect farms from pests, plant diseases
UAE: New law to protect farms from pests, plant diseases

Khaleej Times

time2 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE: New law to protect farms from pests, plant diseases

A new federal law aimed at protecting UAE farms from pests and plant diseases is in the works, as the Federal National Council's Constitutional, Legislative and Appeals and Complaints Committee approved its work plan to review the draft legislation on agricultural quarantine. The decision was made during a virtual meeting chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Committee. The proposed federal law on agricultural quarantine is a critical legislative initiative aimed at bolstering the UAE's biosecurity and safeguarding its agricultural wealth. According to an explanatory memorandum from the government, agricultural quarantine serves as a vital protective barrier against the ingress of plant pests and diseases, thereby preserving the nation's agricultural resources, mitigating the need for extensive chemical controls, and reducing associated economic losses. It also plays a crucial role in environmental protection by minimizing the use of pesticides and pollutants. The existing Federal Law No. (5) of 1979, along with its amendments, has historically governed agricultural quarantine procedures, including the import and export of plant consignments and related stipulations. However, the continuous evolution and modernisation of global standards, particularly those set by the International Plant Protection Convention, necessitate periodic revisions to national agricultural quarantine laws. In line with the government's strategic directives to enhance and update the country's legislative framework, and to ensure the UAE's adherence to its international commitments stemming from its membership in various international agreements and organisations, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has undertaken a comprehensive review of the 1979 law. This initiative, conducted in coordination with relevant local government entities, has culminated in the preparation of this new draft federal law. The primary objectives of the new draft law are multifaceted: to prevent the entry and proliferation of pests within the UAE, to protect the environment and plant resources from all forms of agricultural pests, to decrease reliance on chemical pest control methods, and ultimately, to safeguard public health and the environment. The draft law comprises 28 articles, meticulously covering a wide range of provisions. These include definitions and general stipulations, the overarching goals of the law, the Ministry's specific competencies, regulations concerning the import, export, and transit of agricultural shipments, and others.

From moonshots to diplomacy: India makes its presence felt
From moonshots to diplomacy: India makes its presence felt

Khaleej Times

time2 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

From moonshots to diplomacy: India makes its presence felt

As Chandrayaan-3 gently descended onto the uncharted lunar south pole on August 23, 2023, mission control at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) erupted in celebration. But far from the jubilant engineers and the blinking consoles in Bengaluru, the ripples were felt in foreign ministries across the globe — from Washington to Paris, and beyond. India had just become the first country to land a spacecraft near the moon's south pole, joining an elite club of spacefaring nations. The triumph was scientific, but the implications were profoundly strategic. It signalled, unmistakably, that India's space programme is no longer just about rockets and research; it is now a central pillar of its foreign policy. This is space diplomacy, Indian style: pragmatic, purposeful, and increasingly pivotal to New Delhi's global engagement. For long has India's space programme operated in relative isolation, nurtured by strategic autonomy and limited budgets. But in today's multipolar, tech-driven world, space is no longer the final frontier. It is a geopolitical arena. And India is stepping in with intent. India's evolution from a regional space actor to a global scientific and strategic partner is neither accidental nor cosmetic. It reflects a deliberate recalibration of its foreign policy priorities in the 21st century - one where soft power, science, and strategic technology converge. Take, for instance, the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the United States. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2023 state visit to Washington, space was a dominant theme. The two countries signed agreements enabling ISRO and NASA to collaborate on joint missions, including the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite in 2024, designed to monitor climate change through high-resolution imagery. This mission, the world's most expensive Earth observation satellite to date at nearly $1.5 billion and weighing close to 3,000 kilos, epitomizes how space cooperation is shaping broader conversations around climate, security, and sustainability. With France, too, India has built one of its most enduring space alliances. For over six decades, the Indo-French space collaboration has ranged from satellite launches to scientific exchange. Today, it extends to joint ventures in Earth observation, maritime surveillance, and even space situational awareness, a reflection of the countries' shared interests in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The India-Bhutan satellite, jointly developed to enhance remote sensing capabilities in the Himalayan kingdom, is again not just a goodwill gesture but a strategic investment in regional stability, resilience, and trust. What makes India's space diplomacy uniquely effective is its blend of accessibility, credibility, and ambition. Add to it India's affordable launch services and it makes it a win-win for all. The numbers underscore this: Since 1999 until July 2023, ISRO had launched 431 foreign satellites for 34 countries. India's burgeoning private space ecosystem adds another dimension to its diplomatic toolkit. With the liberalisation of the space sector in 2020 and the establishment of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to facilitate private participation, several startups are redefining the possibilities of Indian space innovation. As of December 2024, around 330 industries, startups, and MSMEs are associated with IN-SPACe for activities ranging from authorization and data dissemination to technology transfer and access to ISRO facilities. Their agility and cost-efficiency make India an attractive partner not just for state actors but also for global commercial ventures. India's space diplomacy is not merely about prestige. It is about building coalitions of capability, creating a framework for shared technological futures, and asserting strategic autonomy in an interdependent world. By turning space into a conduit for cooperation rather than competition, India is not just launching satellites; it is launching a new era of international engagement.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store