Indian minister confirms former Gujarat chief minister's killing in London-bound plane crash
NEW DELHI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A minister in the Indian government has confirmed the killing of former Gujarat chief minister and a senior leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vijay Rupani in Thursday's London-bound Air India flight crash in the western state.
This seems to be the first official confirmation of the death in the Air India flight with 242 people on board that crashed immediately after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, about 17 km south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.
As per Air India, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on board at the time of the crash, besides two pilots and 10 cabin crew members.
"Our leader and former Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, was going to meet his family. He is also a victim in this incident. This is a big loss for the BJP," C R Patil, India's federal water resources minister told reporters.
The 68-year-old Rupani was the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat and served the state from August 2016 to September 2021.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
35 minutes ago
- The Star
Trade may be affected badly as Thailand and Cambodian leaders respond on border tensions
This handout photo from the Royal Thai Government taken and released on June 11, 2025 shows Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (centre) inspecting a bunker during a visit to Kap Choeng District in Surin Province near the border with Cambodia. Thailand and Cambodia on June 8 reached an agreement to reposition their troops in a disputed border area where a Cambodian soldier was killed last month in a military clash, both sides announced. - AFP PHNOM PENH/BANGKOK (Xinhua): Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, said on Friday that the country may suspend importing products from Thailand if the latter refuses to reopen the border checkpoints. Hun Sen, who is also president of the Senate, said in a post on social media that Cambodia may take six measures in response. He said the kingdom may announce the suspension of imports of Thai goods into the Cambodian market, which means halting the use of Thai products and replacing them with domestic goods or products from countries other than Thailand. He added that the country has to prepare to purchase goods, mostly agricultural products, that Cambodian citizens used to export to Thailand, by actively seeking markets for them both domestically and internationally. Hun Sen said patients, who previously sought medical treatment in Thailand, may be redirected to domestic hospitals or medical institutions in other countries. He added that the kingdom needs to prepare to receive and manage employment opportunities for workers who will return from Thailand. "The provinces near the border must be prepared to evacuate residents to safer areas and ensure the supply of food, medicine, and other essential materials," he said, adding that armed forces are required to stay in full alert. Hun Sen said that if Thailand does not resolve the reopening of border checkpoints to normalcy, Cambodia has no choice but to implement all these measures. Cambodia has banned the screening of Thai films on its television channels, said a statement of Cambodian Ministry of Information which was released Thursday night. Chea Vandeth, Cambodian minister of post and telecommunications, said in response to the threat by Thailand side to cut off the Internet bandwidth to Cambodia, all telecommunications operators in Cambodia have disconnected all cross-border Internet links with Thailand. Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Friday reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the ongoing border tensions with Cambodia ahead of the bilateral talks. In her social media post, Paetongtarn said the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting scheduled for Saturday is a crucial platform for Thailand and Cambodia to engage in constructive dialogue and de-escalation. She said that Thailand's response measures have been comprehensively and carefully planned to protect the nation's sovereignty and the interests of its people. The prime minister said the outcome of the first round of talks will be reviewed before determining further actions. In a statement on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Thailand's plan to cut off electricity and Internet in border areas is solely intended to protect the local people of both countries by combating transnational crime, human trafficking, and technological offenses, including online scams. Nikorndej noted that these measures should not be considered a political tool for the purpose of negotiation with the Cambodian side. Border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have mounted after soldiers of the two countries briefly exchanged gunfire at a disputed border area on May 28, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. - Xinhua
Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Lone India plane crash survivor recounts miracle escape
"Everything was visible in front of my eyes when the crash happened," the victim said. 13 Jun 2025 05:38pm This screengrab of video footage taken and released by the Narendra Modi Youtube Channel on June 13, 2025 shows India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) meeting with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor of the Air India flight 171 crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad. - (Photo by NARENDRA MODI YOUTUBE CHANNEL / AFP) AHMEDABAD - The lone survivor of 242 people aboard a London-bound passenger plane that crashed in the Indian city of Ahmedabad said Friday how even he was struggling to explain how he miraculously walked out alive from the fireball explosion. "Everything happened in front of me, and even I couldn't believe how I managed to come out alive from that," British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh said from his hospital bed on Friday, speaking in Hindi to national broadcaster DD News. The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane, which was full of fuel as it took off for a long-haul flight to London, exploded into a burst of orange flame on Thursday afternoon just after taking off. Ramesh -- who was in seat 11A according to media reports -- was the only one aboard the plane not to be killed, with at least 24 others killed on the ground. His brother was also on the same flight, his family in Britain told reporters. "Within a minute after takeoff, suddenly... it felt like something got stuck... I realised something had happened, and then suddenly the plane's green and white lights turned on," Ramesh said. "After that, the plane seemed to speed up, heading straight towards what turned out to be a hostel of a hospital. Everything was visible in front of my eyes when the crash happened." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Ramesh on Friday at the hospital where he is being treated for burns and other injuries, footage on his YouTube channel showed. - 'About to die' - Ramesh, aged 40, is from the British city of Leicester, according to Britain's Press Association news agency, which spoke with his family at home. The plane smashed into the buildings just outside the perimeter of the airport. "Initially, I too thought that I was about to die, but then I opened my eyes and realised that I was still alive," he said. "I saw the air hostess and aunties and uncles all in front of me," he said, his voice trailing off in emotion, using a term of respect used in India for older people. "I unfastened my seatbelt and tried to escape, and I did," he said. Debris of Air India flight 171 is pictured after it crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on June 13, 2025. - (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP) "I think the side I was on was not facing the hostel," he added. "Where I landed was closer to the ground and there was space too - and when my door broke -- I saw that there was space, and I thought I could try to slip out." Videos shared on social media showed Ramesh soon after, dressed in a bloodied t-shirt and limping, but walking towards an ambulance. "My left hand got slightly burnt due to the fire, but an ambulance brought me to the hospital," he said. "The people here are taking good care of me." Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian on board the flight bound for London's Gatwick airport, as well as 12 crew members. The death toll currently stands at 265, police said. Authorities have set up DNA testing for relatives of passengers and those killed on the ground to identify the scorched bodies and body parts. - AFP More Like This
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Asean poised for major global economic role, but challenges remain, experts say
KUALA LUMPUR/MANILA (Xinhua) -- Asean could emerge as the world's fourth-largest economy in the coming decades, experts say, but the regional bloc must accelerate integration, strengthen institutions, and adapt to global shifts to realize this potential. Experts also urge Asean to act collectively to solidify its global presence. EMERGING INDUSTRY FUELING COMMON FUTURE "Asean, presently with an economic size of 3.8 trillion U.S. dollars, could become the fourth-largest economy on an aggregated basis but of a smaller world," said Mohd Munir Abdul Majid, chairman of CARI Asean Research and Advocacy, in a recent email interview with Xinhua. Mohd Munir, who is also president of the Asean Business Club and a senior fellow at LSE IDEAS, said technology -- particularly artificial intelligence (AI) in the services sector -- will drive future growth. He emphasized that Asean's access to technology should be guided by cost and technical quality. "E-commerce could be a key catalyst for intra-regional trade," Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, chief economist at Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, said that a robust digital infrastructure, including telecommunications and smart devices, is essential. Mohd Afzanizam also highlighted the importance of logistics to ensure speedy delivery, which necessitates efficient warehousing systems. He further emphasized that payment systems, such as QR code networks, are crucial to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in expanding into international markets. Oh Ei Sun, principal adviser at the Pacific Research Center of Malaysia, stated that Asean should prioritize high-tech sectors that offer greater value-added potential. However, he told Xinhua that traditional commodities like palm oil and petroleum would remain vital as the region catches up in advanced industries. ASEAN INTEGRATION PROGRESSING STEADILY Aseans economic integration has been advancing gradually, with a strong emphasis on consensus and free trade, experts say. "Asean's economic integration has progressed steadily rather than hastily, grounded in a consistent commitment to free trade," said Mohd Munir. According to him, Asean's journey began with the Asean Free Trade Area in 1992, followed by the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC). The process is now guided by the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045, adopted at the 46th Asean Summit in May. "There is a lot happening. Not fast enough or optimally, but in a clear direction," he noted, adding that Asean has progressed based on consensus to deepen integration and free trade. Li Yuqing, assistant professor of Institute for International and Area Studies of Tsinghua University, said ASEAN's updates to the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement enhance regional trade and deepen integration, supporting its goal of becoming the world's fourth-largest economy. "Above all, Asean is a peaceful region, which makes it a conducive location for foreign direct investment and business ventures that can come from across the globe," Mohd Afzanizam said, highlighting initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone as evidence of strengthening regional ties. INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS, STRATEGIC CLARITY NEEDED Despite progress, experts pointed out that Asean faces institutional limitations. Mohd Munir said the bloc's decision-making structure remains slow, and the secretariat is under-resourced, despite the ASEAN 2045 vision calling for strengthening. "The point Asean must realise is that there is an urgent need to develop its strategic options in a changing world. It has taken a slow and steady course on increasing intra-regional trade, labor mobility and institutional implementation, emphasizing always on consensus," he said. "But there are now big issues for decision-making that cannot follow that route." Mohd Afzanizam warned that non-tariff barriers remain a key obstacle, as member states often act to protect their domestic industries. "Continuous dialogue, both government-to-government and government-to-business, is vital to identify and bridge these gaps," he said. Oh echoed those concerns, urging Asean to address internal development disparities. "Asean should focus on eradicating the abject poverty amongst itself for the least developed member states, and escaping the middle-income trap for the developing member states," he added. CHINA TIES OFFER CHANCE FOR COOPERATION Experts believe Asean-China relations are entering a new phase, driven by growing investment and strategic collaboration. Mohd Munir noted that Asean-China relations have been close in trade and, increasingly, in investment. In the context of global trade tensions, it would be good to deepen that relationship for mutual benefit. "For China, Asean's economic integration provides a relatively stable regional trade environment, helping China manage external trade risks and enhance economic resilience and stability," Li mentioned. She also noted that integration makes Asean's investment environment more stable and transparent, enabling businesses to better access the Asean market and achieve more efficient resource allocation. ASEAN countries may deepen cooperation with China in infrastructure development, which would accelerate progress in the digital economy and green transition, Oh suggested. GREATER INFLUENCE AMID UNCERTAINTY Regardless of whether Asean becomes the fourth-largest economy, its current size already warrants greater global influence, as the bloc is urged to exercise its weight in global affairs. "Asean needs to be less reticent about asserting its influence and initiating new ideas in a world marked by global disorder," he added. "Deeper Asean economic integration would strengthen the bloc's bargaining power," Li said, adding that it would enhance its role as a regional coordinator and allow it to play a more significant role. Mohd Afzanizam said that the shift toward a multipolar world provides more platforms for diplomatic solutions rather than unilateral decisions, especially from a single superpower, which can be disruptive. "This should resonate well with Asean as the region has always been peaceful. Certainly, Asean would want to advocate this at the global arena which is a universally accepted value," he added. - Xinhua
