logo
Air India plane crash: Reactions from across the world, Asia News

Air India plane crash: Reactions from across the world, Asia News

AsiaOne12-06-2025
More than 200 people were killed when an Air India plane bound for London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from India's western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities said.
Here's what world leaders have said so far:
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI, ON X:
"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words."
"In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected."
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER, ON X:
"The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating."
"I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time."
BRITAIN'S KING CHARLES, IN A STATEMENT ON X:
"My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones."
US SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO, ON X:
"Heartbroken to hear the news of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My prayers are with all who lost their loved ones in this horrible incident."
THE VATICAN'S SECRETARY OF STATE, ON X:
"Deeply saddened by the tragedy involving an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, together with the assurance of prayers for all involved in the recovery efforts.""Commending the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty, His Holiness invokes upon all affected the divine blessings of healing and peace."
BANGLADESH CHIEF ADVISER MUHAMMAD YUNUS IN A MESSAGE TO MODI:
"We extend our deepest condolences to all the families who lost their dear ones at this tragic incident."
"We stand in solidarity with the people and Government of India, and offer our full support in any form."
PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA, MARK CARNEY, ON X:
"Canada is deeply saddened by the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad with 242 people on board, including one Canadian."
"Canadian officials remain in close contact with counterparts in the wake of this tragedy. Our thoughts are with all those affected."
EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN, ON X:
"My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss."
"Dear @narendramodi, Europe stands in solidarity with you and the people of India in this moment of sorrow."
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN TO MODI, IN AN OFFICIAL TELEGRAM PUBLISHED ON KREMLIN WEBSITE:
"Please accept my deep condolences on the tragic consequences of the airliner crash at Ahmedabad airport."
"Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes of a swift recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe."
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON, ON X:
"We have learned with deep emotion of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. In this time of sorrow, I extend our heartfelt thoughts to the victims' loved ones and to Prime Minister @NarendraModi."
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE, ON X:
"The news of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad is absolutely devastating. In this time of tragedy, Australia's thoughts are with everyone affected."
"Our government is receiving regular updates and we will continue to monitor the situation closely."
IRISH PRIME MINISTER MICHEAL MARTIN, ON X:
"My thoughts and prayers are with the people of India after the terrible plane crash in Ahmedabad earlier today. Thinking of the families of all those on board, along with the emergency services attending the scene."
GENERAL SECRETARY OF BRITISH AIRLINE PILOTS' ASSOCIATION AMY LEVERSIDGE:
"Pilots around the globe are deeply saddened by this news. Members of the British Airline Pilots' Association send condolences to all those affected.
"It is vital a full and thorough investigation is now carried out without interference or unhelpful speculation about the contributory factors so that future tragedies can be avoided."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump
European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox - European leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Washington on Aug 18 seeking an end to Moscow's invasion, after US President Donald Trump dropped his push for a ceasefire following his Alaska summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Securing a ceasefire in Ukraine, more than three years after the Kremlin ordered the invasion, had been one of Mr Trump's core demands before the summit, to which Ukraine and its European allies were not invited. But after a meeting that yielded no clear breakthrough, Mr Trump ruled out an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine – a move that would appear to favour Mr Putin, who has long argued for negotiations on a final peace deal. Ukraine and its European allies have criticised it as a way to buy time and press Russia's battlefield advances, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen among the leaders set to try and bend Mr Trump's ear on the matter. Ahead of the Washington visit on Aug 18, Dr von der Leyen said on X she would welcome Mr Zelensky for a meeting in Brussels on Aug 17 which other European leaders would join by video call, before accompanying the Ukrainian leader on his US trip at his 'request' with 'other European leaders'. The German government confirmed Mr Merz was among those other European leaders, and would try to emphasise 'interest in a swift peace agreement in Ukraine'. Finland said its president, Mr Alexander Stubb, would also travel to Washington. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: Govt to strengthen partnership with Chinese community, which played key role in early nation-building Singapore NDR 2025: New Islamic college campus will be in Rochor, students can take courses at SUSS next door Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Singapore She won big in Genting, but getting $240k winnings back to Singapore was dicey Singapore Buying hope: Inside S'pore's love affair with the lottery Life Stefanie Sun makes emotional concert return to Taiwan, where she made her debut Singapore Motorcyclist dies after multi-vehicle collision on TPE Mr Trump briefed Mr Zelensky and European leaders on his flight back from Alaska to Washington, saying afterwards that 'it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement which would end the war'. Ceasefire agreements 'often times do not hold up', Mr Trump added on his Truth Social platform. But Mr Zelensky has appeared unconvinced by the change of tack, saying on Aug 16 that it 'complicates the situation'. If Moscow lacks 'the will to carry out a simple order to stop the strikes, it may take a lot of effort to get Russia to have the will to implement far greater – peaceful coexistence with its neighbours for decades', he said on social media. 'Harsh reality' Mr Trump expressed support during his call with Mr Zelensky and European leaders for a proposal by Mr Putin to take full control of two largely Russian-held Ukrainian regions in exchange for freezing the front line in two others, an official briefed on the talks told AFP. Mr Putin 'de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas', an area consisting of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine, the source said. In exchange, Russian forces would halt their offensive in the Black Sea port region of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, where the main cities are still under Ukrainian control. Several months into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia in September 2022 claimed to have annexed all four Ukrainian regions even though its troops still do not fully control any of them. 'The Ukrainian President refused to leave Donbas,' the source said. Mr Trump notably also said the United States was prepared to provide Ukraine security guarantees, an assurance Mr Merz hailed as 'significant progress'. But there was a scathing assessment of the summit outcome from the European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas, who accused Mr Putin of seeking to 'drag out negotiations' with no commitment to end the bloodshed. 'The harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war any time soon,' Ms Kallas said. Zelensky back in White House The main diplomatic focus now switches to Mr Zelensky's talks at the White House on Aug 18. The Ukrainian President's last Oval Office visit in February ended in an extraordinary shouting match, with Mr Trump and US Vice-President J.D. Vance publicly berating Mr Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for US aid. In an interview with broadcaster Fox News after his sit-down with Mr Putin, Mr Trump had suggested that the onus was now on Mr Zelensky to secure a peace deal as they work towards an eventual trilateral summit with Mr Putin. 'It's really up to President Zelensky to get it done,' Mr Trump said. European pressure In an earlier statement, European leaders welcomed the plan for a Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit, but added that they would maintain pressure on Russia in the absence of a ceasefire. Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine raged on, with both Kyiv and Moscow launching attack drones at each other on Aug 17. Back in Moscow, Mr Putin said his summit talks with Trump had been 'timely' and 'very useful'. In his post-summit statement in Alaska, Mr Putin had warned Ukraine and European countries not to engage in any 'behind-the-scenes intrigues' that could disrupt what he called 'this emerging progress'. AFP

US-India trade talks scheduled for August called off
US-India trade talks scheduled for August called off

Business Times

timean hour ago

  • Business Times

US-India trade talks scheduled for August called off

[NEW DELHI] A planned visit by US trade negotiators to New Delhi from August 25-29 has been called off, a source said, delaying talks on a proposed trade agreement and dashing hopes of relief from additional US tariffs on Indian goods from August 27. The current round of negotiations for the proposed bilateral trade agreement is now likely to be deferred to another date that has yet to be decided, the source with direct knowledge of the matter said. The US embassy in New Delhi said it has no additional information on the trade and tariff talks, which are being handled by the United States Trade Representative (USTR). India's trade ministry did not immediately reply to a Reuters email seeking comments. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi's continued imports of Russian oil in a move that sharply escalated tensions between the two nations. The new import tax, which will come into effect from August 27, will raise duties on some Indian exports to as high as 50 per cent – among the highest levied on any US trading partner. Trade talks between New Delhi and Washington collapsed after five rounds of negotiations over disagreement on opening India's vast farm and dairy sectors and stopping Russian oil purchases. India's Foreign Ministry has said the country is being unfairly singled out for buying Russian oil while the United States and European Union continue to purchase goods from Russia. REUTERS

European leaders to meet on Ukraine as Zelenskiy prepares to face Trump
European leaders to meet on Ukraine as Zelenskiy prepares to face Trump

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

European leaders to meet on Ukraine as Zelenskiy prepares to face Trump

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attend a meeting on the sidelines of NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo LONDON/BERLIN - The leaders of France, Germany and Britain will try to shore up Ukraine's position on Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy prepares to meet Donald Trump in Washington with the U.S. leader pressing Kyiv to accept a deal to end the war. President Trump is leaning on Ukraine to strike an agreement after meeting Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska where, according to sources, the Russian president offered to relinquish tiny pockets of occupied Ukraine in exchange for vast swathes elsewhere. At face value, some of Putin's demands would be hugely difficult for Ukraine to accept, setting the stage for potentially fraught talks about ending Europe's deadliest war in 80 years, which has killed or wounded more than 1 million people. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a virtual meeting of the "coalition of the willing" - a grouping of allies of Kyiv - from 1300 GMT. European powers want to help set up a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelenskiy to make sure Ukraine has a seat at the table to shape its future. They also want robust security guarantees for Ukraine with U.S. involvement, and the ability to crank up pressure on Moscow if needed. "They will spell out what they consider essential in terms of security guarantees: what they can do themselves, what falls to the coalition of volunteers, and also what they expect from the United States," a European government official said. "Indeed, they expect a very robust commitment." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Singapore She won big in Genting, but getting $240k winnings back to Singapore was dicey Singapore Buying hope: Inside S'pore's love affair with the lottery Life Stefanie Sun makes emotional concert return to Taiwan, where she made her debut Singapore Motorcyclist dies after multi-vehicle collision on TPE Singapore I want to divorce my husband and be a single mother: More victims speaking up on emotional abuse Asia Dozens injured after magnitude 6.0 quake strikes Sulawesi, Indonesia, official says One or more of the European leaders could also accompany Zelenskiy when he flies to Washington on Monday for his meeting with Trump. Trump said on Saturday that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war with Russia because "Russia is a very big power, and they're not". After the Alaska summit with Putin, Trump phoned Zelenskiy and told him that the Kremlin chief had offered to freeze most front lines if Kyiv ceded all of Donetsk, the industrial region that is one of Moscow's main targets, a source familiar with the matter said. Zelenskiy rejected the demand, the source said. Russia already controls a fifth of Ukraine, including about three-quarters of Donetsk province, which it first entered in 2014. Trump also said he agreed with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and its European allies have called for. That was a reversal of his position before the summit, when he said he would not be happy unless a ceasefire was agreed on. Zelenskiy said Russia's unwillingness to pause the fighting would complicate efforts to forge a lasting peace. "Stopping the killing is a key element of stopping the war," he said on X. Ukraine's air force said Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with 60 drones and one ballistic missile. It said it downed or jammed 40 of the drones. PREPARING FOR OVAL OFFICE MEETING Zelenskiy's last Oval Office meeting, in February, went disastrously, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance giving the Ukrainian leader a strong public dressing-down. Merz said he did not think Zelenskiy would face as difficult a time this time around, adding that Zelenskiy would talk on Sunday to European leaders who would help him prepare for the meeting. "We'll give a few good pieces of advice," he told German broadcaster n-tv. Merz told ZDF that while it was important that Europe stand united, the U.S. would for the time being continue to play the decisive role in the war. "The American president has the power both militarily and via appropriate sanctions and tariffs to ensure that Russia moves more than it currently does," he said. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has been gradually advancing for months. In his statement after the Alaska summit, Putin signalled no movement in Russia's long-held demands, which also include a veto on Kyiv's desired membership in the NATO alliance. Mark Lyall Grant, Britain's national security adviser during part of Trump's first term, said the summit was a 'clear win' for Putin because Trump dropped his previous call for an immediate ceasefire. However, he added that it was positive that there appeared to be some willingness from the U.S. to be involved in offering some security guarantees for Ukraine. "That is absolutely critical because apart from the issues of land swaps, which is a very complicated issue, the most important longer-term issue is the security guarantees for what is left of Ukraine, so Putin doesn't do what he normally does, which is have a time to rearm and come back for more at a later stage," he told Reuters. REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store