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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and met with injured victims at the Civil Hospital on Friday.

The London-bound flight crashed into a residential area shortly after take-off on Thursday, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The sole survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, is recovering in hospital. The number of casualties on the ground remains unknown, according to Firstpost.

The aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, according to Air India.

Families of the victims have begun providing DNA samples to aid in the identification process.

PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting in Ahmedabad with ministers and senior officials to oversee rescue operations, victim identification, and support measures for affected families, according to Firstpost.

Describing the tragedy as “beyond words,” Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

India has initiated an official investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives. The UK-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, striking a building before catching fire. One person survived.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead the probe, adhering to international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Firstpost reported.

Additionally, the government has formed a high-level committee of experts to assess the incident and recommend measures to enhance aviation safety.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Thursday that a team has been sent to India following the crash of Air India flight AI171. In a statement on social media, he described the incident as “absolutely devastating” and confirmed that Foreign Secretary David Lammy is leading the UK’s response.

Starmer stated that the UK is working closely with Indian authorities to investigate the cause and would provide timely updates. He is scheduled to chair a COBR emergency meeting later in the day, which is held by the Cabinet Office to coordinate government response during major crises, according to Xinhua.

Only one out of the 242 individuals on board survived.

An Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday (June 12, 2025) afternoon. Barring one miracle survivor, no one else could be rescued. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the crash.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft took off at 1:38 p.m. Five minutes later, the aircraft plummeted into the B.J. Medical College hostel mess 5km from the airport, as over 100 students were gathered for lunch. A towering plume of smoke was visible from afar after a massive explosion, The Hindu reported.

Government sources said the pilots gave a ‘Mayday’ call immediately after takeoff, signalling a life-threatening emergency. The aircraft was steered by Pilot in Command Sumit Sabharwal, and co-Pilot Clive Kunder.

After meeting the sole survivor of the crash in hospital, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said none of the other passengers could be saved. “Due to the huge amount of fuel at 1.25 lakh litre and high temperature from the explosion, no one could be rescued,” he said. The Press Trust of India identified the survivor as Vishwaskumar Ramesh, who was travelling in the A11 seat of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, heading to London with his brother, according to The Hindu.

Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, who served between 2016 and 2021, was among the passengers on the ill-fated London-bound Dreamliner that went down minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad, India Today reported.

Rupani's demise marks the second time a former Gujarat CM has died in a plane crash, six decades after Balwantrai Mehta's fatal air accident in 1965.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday communicated profound distress over the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, depicting it as “one of the most noticeably awful in flying history.” He offered condolences to the casualties and their families, calling the occurrence a awful misfortune.

Trump guaranteed that the Joined together States is prepared to help India in any way conceivable. “We’ll be over there quickly on the off chance that needed,” he said, emphasizing America’s readiness to back alleviation and recuperation endeavors, according to Firstpost.

Commenting on the scale of the catastrophe, Trump stated, “It looks like most are gone.” In spite of the gravity of the circumstance, he communicated certainty in India’s capacity to handle the emergency, alluding to it as a “strong country.”

At least 204 people were killed and 41 were injured after a London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people crashedminutes after taking off from Ahmedabad in the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. Flight AI171 came down on a government hospital hostel on the outskirts of the airport, leaving a field of debris and scenes of devastation, India Today reported.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that 204 people had been killed in the Air India flight crash and indicated that the condition of those injured was extremely critical. Three medical students were killed in the crash, Dr Mehul Shah, chief of Gujarat chapter of the Indian Medical Association, said. He added that several medical students were injured and admitted to the hospital.

The Air India flight had taken off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.39 pm and crashed just five minutes later. It was bound for London's Gatwick airport. A video of the plane, taken just as it had taken off, showed it struggling to remain airborne and gradually losing altitude before it crashed into the ground, igniting into a fireball, according to India Today.

Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has called for deeper India–Nepal cooperation amid global challenges such as climate change, geopolitical shifts, and rapid technological transformation. Emphasizing economic partnership, green energy, digital innovation, and regional integration, she stated, “Nepal and India must transform proximity into prosperity by improving connectivity, from roads and railways to digital infrastructure.”

Speaking at a program jointly organized by Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF), Nepal, and the Ananta Aspen Centre here in Kathmandu, she highlighted progress on the Pancheshwar Hydropower Project as a step toward the joint goal of exporting 10,000 MW of electricity to India, noting shared commitment to a greener, more interdependent future.  Deuba also stressed that Nepal and India face common security threats, making collaboration in security and strategic sectors vital for regional stability and mutual resilience, according to a press statement issued by the organizer.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava has reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening the India–Nepal partnership under the “Neighborhood First” policy, emphasizing that borders should serve as bridges of connectivity. The envoy highlighted growing cooperation across infrastructure, energy, trade, digital payments, and people-to-people linkages, citing Nepal’s significant electricity exports to India and the growing use of India’s UPI system in Nepal as examples of mutually beneficial progress.

He underscored shared security concerns, particularly the threat of cross-border terrorism, and appreciated Nepal’s unequivocal support following the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, which claimed the life of a Nepali citizen, according to a press statement issued by organizer.

At least 120 people are feared dead after an Air India flight carrying 242 passengers crashed near Ahmedabad Airport, Hindustan Times reported.

The plane, en-route to London, crashed in a residential area, five minutes after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Gujarat.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was on the Air India flight that crashed near the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, India Today reported.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft bound for London crashed after five minutes of taking-off near Ahmedabad airport this afternoon.

According to the passenger list document accessed by India Today Digital, "Vijay Ramniklal Rupani" was the 12th passenger on the list. He was booked in Z class, which falls under the Business Class category, accoding to India Today.

An Air India flight to London crashed shortly after take-off at the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, India Today reported.

The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carried 242 passengers. Visuals from the area showed thick black smoke in the air as more details about the accident were awaited.

Emergency services rushed to the spot following the crash, including seven fire engines, according to India Today.

The Canadian government has introduced Bill C-3 to address citizenship issues related to the 2009 “First-Generation Limit” (FGL), which previously denied or revoked citizenship for many born abroad or with foreign-born children. The bill proposes automatic reinstatement of citizenship for those affected and allows Canadian parents born outside Canada to pass citizenship to children born or adopted abroad, provided the parent has lived in Canada for at least three years before the child’s birth, according to Firstpost.

This act is intended to benefit thousands of immigrant groups, particularly those of Indian origin. It is currently under parliamentary review and must pass all readings and gain royal assent before becoming law. The Ontario Superior Court has also ordered the government to change the current guidelines by November 20, warning that failing to do so may result in the FGL provisions being overturned or curtailed.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has tightened immigration regulations, including issuing an executive order to abolish birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents on temporary visas, complicating immigration for many people, including Indian nationals, Firstpost reported.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, later this month at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

This marks the first meeting between the two leaders and comes amid efforts to ease tensions following the 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which had strained India-Canada relations, according to Firstpost.

Carney defended the invitation, stressing India's global economic importance, and stated that legal procedures in Canada will continue uninterrupted.

India will conduct its long-postponed national census in two phases, set to conclude in 2027, the government announced. Delayed since 2021, the exercise was initially postponed due to the pandemic, with no clear reasons for further delays, according to BBC.

The reference date is March 1, 2027 for most locations, and October 1, 2026 for snow-bound areas. The government has not revealed when the count will begin.

For the first time since 1931, caste statistics will be gathered. Experts fear that the delay may impede welfare planning and resource distribution in the world's most populated country, BBC reported.

India has issued a warning to Turkish Airlines after surprise inspections revealed serious safety violations, including the unauthorized transport of explosives.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, conducted checks at airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. It found that explosives were carried without mandatory approval or proper declaration. In Bengaluru, unqualified staff handled ground operations, and aircraft maintenance was done without a certified engineer, Firstpost reported.

The inspections were carried out under Article 16 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Convention, which mandates global aviation safety standards.

Nestled between India and China, Nepal possesses a unique and complex trade history, along with significant market opportunities. However, the country faces multiple constraints—including geographical challenges, weak infrastructure, procedural bottlenecks, and an often unstable political-economic environment. Moreover, the government’s approach to trade negotiations tends to be reactive, shaped by perceived contexts rather than long-term strategy. In this light, it is essential to institutionalise effective standard operating procedures (SOPs) for trade negotiations. Such SOPs would ensure consistency, enhance transparency, and provide strategic direction across bilateral, subregional, and regional trade engagements.

The need for an SOP

Nepal’s trade diplomacy currently relies heavily on ad hoc arrangements and the personal experience of individual bureaucrats. This knowledge-driven, personality-based approach often leads to inconsistencies, a lack of institutional memory, and missed opportunities on bilateral, regional, and multilateral platforms.

A national SOP would promote coherence across government departments and ensure continuity during political transitions. It would also empower negotiation teams with procedural clarity and sectoral insights while presenting Nepal as a prepared and credible counterpart in international forums.

Core SOP features for trade negotiations

Institutional mechanisms

Since the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) leads trade negotiations, it should initiate the formation of a formal negotiation coordination committee. This body should include representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, private sector associations, academia, legal experts, and provincial authorities. Together, they would set national priorities, vet negotiation positions, and guide strategies.

SOP cycle

Pre-negotiation phase: Conduct data-driven impact assessments, define national priorities, consult relevant stakeholders, and prepare position papers.

Negotiation phase: Select delegation members, assign roles, and maintain real-time internal coordination.

Post-negotiation phase: Identify legal provisions, outline ratification processes, create implementation roadmaps, and establish monitoring indicators.

Sectoral working group

A specialised group should bring together representatives from transit service providers, agriculture, digital trade, transport logistics, and quality assurance sectors to provide technical expertise. Key issues should include Nepal’s transit rights and infrastructure cooperation. The SOP must prioritise multimodal transport corridors, efficient cross-border logistics, and enhanced trade facilitation through modernised customs systems and logistics hubs.

Trade facilitation

Efforts should focus on easing the movement of people, goods, services, capital, and data—while remaining mindful of risks associated with automation and digitalisation. Nepal must align with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and leverage regional initiatives such as BBIN, BIMSTEC, SAARC, SASEC, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

To support this, a negotiation readiness toolkit is needed. This should include templates, records of past negotiations, sectoral briefings, simulation exercises, and case studies. Trade facilitation measures must align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and be benchmarked accordingly.

Establishing bodies such as a National Trade Negotiation Council (NTNC), a National Trade Consulting Forum, or a Trade Intelligence and Analysis Unit is crucial for institutional continuity and informed decision-making.

Infrastructure development—including rail, road, and inland waterway connectivity—must be a priority. Logistical alignment, mutual recognition of standards and certifications, and the promotion of low-carbon, climate-smart trade chains should drive Nepal’s trade agenda.

Legal and risk mitigation

Trade agreements must include robust provisions for dispute resolution, force majeure, and other legal safeguards. It is vital to protect the interests of small producers, uphold environmental standards, and ensure policy space for future reforms.

Inclusion and capacity building

An inclusive trade negotiation process must involve wide consultations with the private sector, civil society, and marginalised communities. The SOP should ensure that all relevant stakeholders are engaged meaningfully.

Capacity building is essential. Members of the negotiation team must receive training in legal interpretation, economic analysis, negotiation tactics, and language skills. Ongoing collaboration with think tanks and trade institutions will enhance capacity and knowledge.

Meeting key performance indicators (KOIs) and conducting annual performance reviews by independent experts will help ensure the negotiation team’s effectiveness and accountability.

Conclusion

Institutionalising SOPs for trade negotiations through a phased, strategic approach is crucial for Nepal. This process should be backed by technical and financial support, and ensure coherence between national development plans and regional trade commitments. Effective monitoring and evaluation must be embedded to achieve desired trade outcomes and social impact.

Nepal should not view its position between two dominant economic powers as a limitation, but a strategic opportunity. By transitioning from a reactive player to a proactive influencer in regional and global trade, Nepal can better serve its national interests. Now is the time to establish a negotiation process that is strategic, inclusive, and driven by national priorities—one that enables Nepal to negotiate with confidence, not just consent.