INDIA prime minister will be presenting the formal position on India's climate action agenda and lay out the best practices and achievements in the sector at the COP26 summit in Glasgow on Monday (1).
During the high-profile segment of the World Leaders' Summit, Narendra Modi is scheduled to deliver a national statement alongside other world leaders and India's statement will come after that of prime minister of Poland Matuesz Morawiecki.
"Landed in Glasgow. Will be joining the COP26 Summit, where I look forward to working with other world leaders on mitigating climate change and articulating India's efforts in this regard," Modi said on Twitter post soon after he landed in Glasgow from the G20 Summit in Rome on Sunday night.
Modi was received to the notes of Scottish bagpipes as he arrived at his hotel in Glasgow, where he was greeted by a large group of Indian diaspora representatives with chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".
On Monday morning (1), he is scheduled to hold a meet around 45 Indian diaspora representatives from Glasgow and Edinburgh, including prominent medics, academics and business people.
He will also meet the Indian winner of Prince William's Earthshot Prize, Delhi-based recycling firm Takachar founder Vidyut Mohan, and 14-year-old prize finalist from Tamil Nadu Vinisha Umashankar, inventor of a solar-powered ironing cart.
He will then proceed for the opening ceremony of day one of the World Leaders' Summit of the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), being held at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.
Modi's bilateral meeting with his British counterpart Boris Johnson is expected to take place soon after Monday's opening ceremony, which will include cultural performances and a speech by Johnson.
According to official sources, the Johnson-Modi talks are expected to be quite brief and will focus on the UK-India climate partnership as well as a stock-take of the 2030 Roadmap for stronger UK-India Strategic Partnership, signed by the two leaders during a virtual summit in May this year.
Modi is expected to reiterate his invitation for Johnson to visit India.
Moreover, it would be the first in-person meeting between Modi and Johnson following the latter's twice cancelled visit to India earlier this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The bilateral meeting will be followed by a leader-level COP26 event entitled Action and Solidarity: The Critical Decade, for which the UK has extended a special invitation for Modi to deliver an address on the subject of "adaptation".
"India is among the top countries in the world in terms of installed renewable energy, wind and solar energy capacity. At the WLS, I will share India's excellent track record on climate action and our achievements," Modi said in a statement ahead of the summit.
"I will also highlight the need to comprehensively address climate change issues including equitable distribution of carbon space, support for mitigation and adaptation and resilience building measures, mobilisation of finance, technology transfer and importance of sustainable lifestyles for green and inclusive growth," he said.
Earlier at a summit on strengthening global supply chains convened by US president Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G20, Modi had underlined that trusted source, transparency and time-frame were three critical aspects for improving the supply chains.
'Global Supply Chain Resilience'
Speaking at the Summit on 'Global Supply Chain Resilience' on Sunday, the Indian prime minister said that India has built a reputation as one of the trusted sources of pharmaceuticals, IT and other items, and was now also looking forward to playing a role in the clean technology supply chain
"I suggest that we instruct our teams to meet at the earliest to draw up an action plan based on our shared democratic values, within a given time frame," he said.
While thanking Biden for convening the summit, Modi recalled that when the US president took office, he had said 'America is back' and "I would like to say, "Welcome back".
"In the initial months of the pandemic, we all felt the shortage of raw materials to make essential medicines, health equipment and vaccines. Now that the world is gearing up for economic recovery, the supply problems of semiconductors and other commodities are coming in the way of healthy growth," Modi said.
Modi asserted that in order to improve the global supply of vaccines, India has increased the pace of export of Covid vaccines.
"We are also working with our Quad partners to supply better and cost-effective Covid-19 vaccines to the Indo-Pacific region," he said
Modi reiterated that India is ready to produce 5 billion Covid vaccine doses for the world next year
"For this also, it is very important that there should not be any hindrance in the supply of raw materials," he said.
An urgent warning has been issued in the UK after several popular Jolly Rancher sweet products were recalled due to the presence of banned ingredients linked to cancer. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that certain products, including Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, ‘Misfits’ Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, are affected.
These sweets, produced by American confectionery giant Hershey, were found to contain Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbon (MOSH), both of which are derived from crude oil and have been associated with serious health risks, including cancer.
Products removed but some still on sale
Hershey has informed UK authorities that it has taken steps to withdraw the affected products from the British market. However, the FSA has warned that some Jolly Rancher sweets containing these harmful substances are still being sold in shops, and local authorities have been urged to act.
Consumers are advised not to eat them and to dispose of them safelyiStock
The FSA stated: “Consumption of the affected sweets is of toxicological concern, especially in younger age groups and where consumers eat a lot of the products or eat them regularly.”
Consumers who have purchased the recalled items are advised not to eat them and to dispose of them safely. While the risk to individuals who have already consumed the sweets is considered low, the presence of MOAH and MOSH means they are not compliant with UK food safety laws.
Growing concerns over US imports
The Jolly Rancher recall is the latest in a series of warnings about American food products being sold in the UK with banned or harmful ingredients. Earlier this year, various sweets, drinks, and snacks imported from the United States – including Fanta Pineapple, Mountain Dew, Swedish Fish, Prime Hydration, Cheetos Crunchy, and Twizzlers – were found to contain substances not approved in the UK.
Among the banned additives were brominated vegetable oil (BVO), used in Mountain Dew, and Red Dye 3, a colouring found in jelly beans and preserved cherries. White mineral oil, also used in many US-made sweets, was another concerning ingredient.
Dr Pepper recall raises additional alarm
Separately, US authorities have recalled over 19,000 cans of Dr Pepper Zero Sugar due to mislabelling. The product, manufactured by Pepsi Beverages Company, was found to contain sugar despite being marketed as sugar-free. The error poses significant risks to individuals with diabetes or those who need to control their sugar intake.
Initially labelled as a voluntary recall, the incident has now been escalated to a Class II recall by the US Food and Drug Administration, meaning consumption may lead to temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects.
Health risks of hidden ingredients
These recent incidents have drawn attention to the growing trend of importing American products into the UK without full compliance checks. Experts warn that continued exposure to banned or mislabelled ingredients can pose long-term health risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and people with chronic health conditions.
The FSA continues to monitor the situation and has urged consumers to remain vigilant, particularly when buying imported food and drink products online or from independent retailers.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Rescue and relief work underway following the Air India plane crash, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)
ONE survivor walked away from the Air India aircraft that crashed at Ahmedabad airport earlier this morning (12), according to the latest reports from India.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, a UK national, was in seat 11A of the Air India Flight 171 bound for London Gatwick when it crashed shortly after take off from Ahmedabad with 242 people on board.
Initial reports suggested there were no survivors following the accident.
However, Kumar Ramesh was quoted as saying that seconds after take-off, “there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed”.
He told local media in India, “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.
“There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Two other British passengers believed to have been travelling on the aircraft were named as Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre and yoga studio in south London.
They spoke of their “magical experience” in India, adding they experienced “mind-blowing things”.
British Indian businessman Surinder Arora told Sky News a distant family member was on board the aircraft.
The UK government said it was sending a team to support the investigation into the Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survivor of the Air India plane crash, in Ahmedabad. (PTI photo)
In a statement, the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it “has formally offered its assistance to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, India.
“We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian led investigation.”
Britain has set up crisis teams in Delhi and London to support the families of those on board the Air India Flight 171, foreign secretary David Lammy informed parliament.
“My thoughts and I’m sure those of the entire House are with those who have been affected by the tragic plane crash in India this morning,” Lammy told MPs.
“We know that British nationals were on board and I can confirm that the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) is working urgently with local authorities to support British nationals and their families, and has stood up a crisis team in both Delhi and in London,” he said.
The Tata Group said will provide Rs 10 million (£95,000) to the family of each person who died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
In the message posted by Tata Group on X, the company said it will cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support.
"Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the BJ Medical's hostel,” Tata Group and Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran said.
"We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time," he said.
A US government agency that investigates civil aviation accidents said it would lead a team of American investigators to India to assist in the investigation of the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a post on X that it will be “leading a team of US investigators travelling to India to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau with its investigation into the crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday.”
— (@)
It added that as per international protocols under the International Civil Aviation Organisation, all information on the investigation will be provided by the Government of India.
Keep ReadingShow less
FILE PHOTO: Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani. (PTI Photo)
FORMER Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was believed to be on board the London-bound Air India plane that crashed near the Ahmedabad airport soon after take-off on Thursday (12), a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said.
"Vijay Rupani was going to London by the Air India flight," senior BJP leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama told reporters in Ahmedabad. "I am going to the city civil hospital to inquire about him," he added.
The plane was headed for Gatwick Airport and the passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants. Air India said 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
Rescue workers said at least 30 to 35 bodies had been recovered from the site and that more people were trapped.
Thick black plumes of acrid smoke towered high above Ahmedabad airport on Thursday after the London-bound passenger jet with 242 people aboard crashed shortly after takeoff earlier in the day.
A reporter in the city said the plane crashed in an area between a hospital and the city’s Ghoda Camp neighbourhood.
Passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants (PTI photo)
Authorities said it went down outside the airport perimeter, in a crowded residential area, which local media said included a hostel where medical students and young doctors live.
"When we reached the spot there were several bodies lying around and firefighters were dousing the flames," Poonam Patni told AFP. "Many of the bodies were burned."
Another resident, who declined to be named, said: "We saw people from the building jumping from the second and third floor to save themselves. The plane was in flames.
"We helped people get out of the building and sent the injured to the hospital."
Photographs released by India's Central Industrial Security Force, a paramilitary police force, showed a large chunk of the plane that had smashed through the brick and concrete wall of a building.
Visuals showed people being moved in stretchers and being taken away in ambulances.
"My sister-in-law was going to London. Within an hour, I got news that the plane had crashed," Poonam Patel, a relative of one of the passengers, told news agency ANI at the government hospital in Ahmedabad.
Ramila, the mother of a student at the medical college, told ANI her son had gone to the hostel for his lunch break when the plane crashed. "My son is safe, and I have spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries," she said.
People stand near the debris of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad (PTI photo)
Aviation tracking site Flightradar24 said the plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most modern passenger aircraft in service.
It was the first crash for the Dreamliner, which began flying commercially in 2011, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. The plane that crashed on Thursday flew for the first time in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014, Flightradar24 said.
Boeing said it was aware of initial reports and was working to gather more information.
Ahmedabad Airport is operated by India's Adani Group conglomerate.
— (@)
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Flight 171," Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the group, posted on X.
"Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. We are working closely with all authorities and extending full support to the families on the ground," he said.
Keep ReadingShow less
Police said they had collected 204 dead bodies (PTI photo)
All 242 passengers on board believed to have been killed in the Air India crash AI-171 in Ahmedabad
Air India passenger hotline numbers - 1800 5691 444 and for foreign nationals +91 8062779200
There were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian on board the flight bound for London Gatwick
Contact @HCI_London on the emergency number 07768765035 with regard to emergency visa assistance to travel to India if needed
POLICE in Ahmedabad said they had collected 204 dead bodies after the London-bound Air India aircraft with 242 people on board crashed into residential buildings after takeoff on Thursday (12).
“We have found 204 bodies,” city police commissioner GS Malik said, adding that 41 injured people were “under treatment”.
The dead included those from the plane crash and from buildings into which the plane smashed.
“Rescue work is ongoing,” he said.
The crash was the first ever for a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a source familiar with the matter said. Boeing, the American planemaker, said it was ready to support Air India following the crash.
"We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them," said a Boeing statement. "Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected."
Several videos posted on social media showed the aircraft rapidly losing altitude - with its nose up - before it hit a building and exploded into an orange ball of fire.
Damage at a building after an Air India plane crashed moments after taking off from the airport, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)
Authorities said it went down outside the airport perimeter, in a crowded residential area while a reporter in the city said the plane crashed between a hospital and the city's Ghoda Camp neighbourhood.
A medic described how the burning plane had smashed into a residential block that is home to medical students and young doctors.
"One half of the plane crashed into the residential building where doctors lived with their families," said Krishna, a doctor who gave only one name.
He saw "about 15-20 burnt bodies" in the wreckage and debris.
It was not clear whether the dead he had seen had been killed on board the plane, or had been in the building the aircraft ploughed into.
"The nose and front wheel landed on the canteen building where students were having lunch," he said, adding he and colleagues had "rescued some 15 students from the building and sent them to hospital".
"When we reached the spot there were several bodies lying around and firefighters were dousing the flames," resident Poonam Patni said.
"Many of the bodies were burned", she added.
Another resident, who declined to be named, said: "We saw people from the building jumping from the second and third floor to save themselves. The plane was in flames.
"We helped people get out of the building and sent the injured to the hospital."
Outside Ahmedabad airport, a woman wailing inconsolably in grief said that five of her relatives had been aboard the plane. In a post on social media, former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak, who was recently in Ahmedabad to watch the final of the Indian Premier League, said, “Akshata and I are deeply shocked and distressed by the news of the Air India tragedy.
“There is a unique bond between our two nations and our thoughts and prayers go out to the British and Indian families who have lost loved ones today.”
Keep ReadingShow less
Keir Starmer. (Photo by JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Thursday (12) expressed his anguish following a plane crash involving a London-bound Air India flight with 53 British nationals among 242 on board, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport.
"The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating,” Starmer said in a statement.
"I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time," he said.
Foreign secretary David Lammy took to social media to express his support to those affected."Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My thoughts are with all those affected.
The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support,” he said.
People gather near a damaged building and trees as firefighters work at the site where an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.
It issued a contact number for consular assistance.“We are aware of a plane crash in Ahmedabad.
The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved,” the FCDO’s travel advisory notes.
“British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 020 7008 5000,” it adds.
— (@)
Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, said, “I am deeply concerned by the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171. Harrow is home to a large British-Gujarati community, many of whom have close family ties to Gujarat, and this devastating news will be felt particularly strongly here.
"My thoughts are with all those who have been injured or lost loved ones and I stand ready to support any Harrow residents who are concerned about the wellbeing of their family or friends affected by this tragedy.”
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, was due to land at London Gatwick Airport at 1825 local time. The flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff near the Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday.