After the Air India Flight AI171 crash, the Indian High Commission in London shared an emergency helpline for families of passengers. Next of kin can call 07768765035 for urgent visa help to travel to India. The number is only for emergency visa-related queries. For other details, families should contact Air India at 1800 5691 444 or India’s Civil Aviation Ministry at 011-24610843 and 09650391859. Officials have asked the media not to use the helpline. Updates will be shared on official social media pages. The flight, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. No survivors are expected. (PC: NDTV, Reuters, AP)

Jamie Meek and his partner Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, from London, were among the 242 people on the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. Hours before the crash, Jamie posted videos on Instagram saying goodbye to India. He spoke about their “magical experience” and their last night at a heritage hotel in Ahmedabad. The couple shared laughs, chai, and memories at the airport. Their final video showed them boarding the plane. The flight crashed minutes after takeoff. No survivors are expected. Their goodbye has now become a heartbreaking memory for family, friends, and followers around the world.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep sorrow over the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The crash claimed the lives of all 242 people on board. In a statement, Meloni said she was “deeply saddened” and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. She also conveyed Italy’s full support and solidarity with India during this time of mourning. The plane was flying to London and crashed shortly after takeoff, near a residential area. Rescue efforts are still ongoing. The cause of the crash is not confirmed yet, as investigations are currently underway. (PC: X)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed grief over the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, calling the incident “devastating.” Flight AI171, en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff with 242 onboard, including 53 British nationals. “My thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,” Starmer posted on X. The DGCA confirmed the aircraft issued a "Mayday" call before crashing into Meghaninagar. The passengers included 169 Indians, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. The cause remains under investigation. Air India has activated a helpline: 1800 5691 444 for families seeking updates. (PC: HT)

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 232 passengers (169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian) and 12 crew, lost contact at about 625 ft, less than a minute after departure. Witnesses saw a rapid descent and explosion in Meghani Nagar, shrouding the area in thick black smoke. Emergency teams, including seven fire engines, rushed to the scene; injured individuals were taken to nearby hospitals. All flights were suspended. Air India’s chairman and officials, including Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, launched rescue efforts and offered condolences. Investigations are ongoing. (PC: X)

As Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus confirmed at London’s Chatham House, Dhaka firmly seeks “the best relationship with India”. However, he warned that “somehow things go wrong every time”, attributing disruptions to fake news in Indian media allegedly tied to policymakers. Yunus revealed he asked PM Modi to curb former PM Sheikh Hasina’s political broadcasts from India, Modi replied it’s “social media, we can’t control it”, calling the situation “explosive”. Bangladesh has requested Hasina’s extradition and is pursuing legal proceedings through its International Crimes Tribunal and Interpol. Despite this, Yunus emphasized the goal remains strong, neighbourly, transparent ties. 

Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus disclosed at London’s Chatham House he asked Indian PM Narendra Modi to stop former premier Sheikh Hasina from broadcasting political speeches from India, which were “provoking anger” in Bangladesh. Modi reportedly replied it was “not possible” due to the impact of social media . Yunus also confirmed Dhaka has formally requested Hasina’s extradition and legal proceedings are underway . The revelation underscores rising tensions as Bangladesh accuses India’s media of amplifying misinformation and resists political intervention from exile-based Hasina.  (PC: India Global)

An Indian national, identified as Vishal from Yamunanagar, Haryana, was restrained—handcuffed and pinned to the floor—by Port Authority police during a transit at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 8. U.S. authorities deemed his conduct “not conducive to travel.” He had entered the U.S. illegally and, under a court order, is set for deportation once medically cleared. The Indian Consulate in New York is liaising with U.S. officials, and New Delhi has raised the matter with the U.S. Embassy. The distressing viral video has ignited public outrage and diplomatic concern. (PC: The Tribune)

The CBI has filed a charge sheet against Shubham Shokeen, a law officer at the French embassy in Delhi, for running a Schengen visa racket involving Punjab-based agents. Shokeen allegedly charged ₹13–45 lakh per applicant, processed fraudulent visas, and destroyed records post-issuance. Eight people, including three family members and four middlemen, are implicated. Shokeen fled India and is now wanted under an Interpol Silver Notice—the first issued by India. The scam, active between January 2021 and May 2022, helped him amass huge wealth. The case was built after a three-year investigation involving global coordination, according to the CBI.

India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has said Delhi is “hopeful” of finalizing a trade deal with the US before the 90-day tariff suspension ends on July 9. Speaking to France’s Le Figaro during his visit to Europe, Jaishankar noted talks were already underway before Donald Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement, which imposed duties of up to 27% on Indian goods. While India has reduced tariffs on whiskey and motorcycles, agriculture remains off the table. Recent closed-door meetings in Delhi reportedly made progress. Trump wants to cut the $45 billion US trade deficit with India and double bilateral trade to $500 billion. (PC: BBC)