Ahmedabad (Gujarat), June 12: The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday announced that flight operations at Ahmedabad Airport have resumed hours after a London-bound Air India aircraft was involved in a tragic accident near its perimeter.

In a post on X, the ministry noted that all flight safety protocols are being followed.

“Ahmedabad Airport is now available for flight operations from 16:05 IST onwards. Flight safety protocols are being followed with utmost care,” Civil Aviation Ministry posted on X.

The aircraft Air India Al171 was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. Capt Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8200 hours of experience. The official added that the copilot had 1100 hours of flying experience. As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23.

Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. The official said that heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, terming it “heartbreaking beyond words.”

In a post on X, PM Modi conveyed his condolences and assured assistance to those affected.

“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,” the Prime Minister said.

Air India confirmed that flight Al171, which was destined for Gatwick in London, was involved in an accident after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

New Delhi, June 11: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Wednesday declared the results of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025.

The preliminary exam was held on May 25.

The UPSC has announced the results and shared a list of roll numbers of successful candidates who have qualified for the Civil Services (Main) Examination on its website, according to an official statement.

The Commission conducts the civil services examination annually in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

Candidates are also informed that marks, cut-off marks and answer keys of the preliminary exam will be uploaded on the Commission’s website i.e. only after the entire process of the civil services examination, 2025 and Indian Forest Service Examination, 2025 is over i.e. after the declaration of final result, the statement said.

The UPSC has also declared a list of candidates who have qualified for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2025, on the basis of screening test held through the civil services preliminary examination.

The Commission has a facilitation counter near the examination hall building in its premises at Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi.

Candidates may obtain any information/clarification regarding their result on all working days between 10 am and 5 pm, in person or on telephone no. 011-23385271, 011-23098543 or 011-23381125 from the facilitation counter, said the statement issued by the UPSC.

The successful candidates have been asked to fill in certain details through a dedicated window to be opened on the Commission’s website from June 16 to 25.

Successful candidates are required to submit a fee of Rs 200 for admission into the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025, except in the case of fee exempt candidates, the UPSC said.

The details related scribe, assistive device and question paper in large font (for main examination) among others can also be submitted or updated online, it said in an identical statement for the candidates who have qualified for Indian Forest Service (main) examination.

Brussels [Belgium], June 11: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to Brussels this week, met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, where he highlighted India’s strategic importance, its global positioning, and expressed reservations on key EU policies, according to Euractiv.

Speaking amid ongoing EU-India free trade agreement negotiations, Jaishankar made a strong case for India as a reliable economic partner. “India – a nation of 1.4 billion – offers skilled labour and a more trustworthy economic partnership than China,” he said, as reported by Euractiv in an edited transcript.

Turning to recent global coverage of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, in which 26 lives were lost, Jaishankar pushed back against the narrative that equates India’s response with regional tensions. “Let me remind you of something – there was a man named Osama bin Laden. Why did he, of all people, feel safe living for years in a Pakistani military town, right next to their equivalent of West Point?” he said.

“I want the world to understand – this isn’t merely an India-Pakistan issue. It’s about terrorism. And that very same terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you.”

On India’s position regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s non-prescriptive stance. “We don’t believe that differences can be resolved through war – we don’t believe a solution will come from the battlefield. It’s not for us to prescribe what that solution should be. My point is, we’re not being prescriptive or judgemental – but we are also not uninvolved.”

Responding to criticism over India’s refusal to join sanctions against Russia, he said, “We have a strong relationship with Ukraine as well – it’s not only about Russia. But every country, naturally, considers its own experience, history and interests.”

He further offered a historical perspective on India’s foreign policy outlook. “India has the longest-standing grievance – our borders were violated just months after independence, when Pakistan sent in invaders to Kashmir. And the countries that were most supportive of that? Western countries.”

“If those same countries – who were evasive or reticent then – now say ‘let’s have a great conversation about international principles’, I think I’m justified in asking them to reflect on their own past.”

On India’s role in the changing global order, Jaishankar emphasized multipolarity. “Multipolarity is already here. Europe now faces the need to make more decisions in its own interest – using its own capabilities, and based on the relationships it fosters globally.”

“I hear terms like ‘strategic autonomy’ being used in Europe – these were once part of our vocabulary.”

“The EU is clearly a major pole in the global order – and increasingly an autonomous one. That is precisely why I’m here: to deepen our relationship in this multipolar world.”

Reacting to the EU’s climate policies, particularly the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Jaishankar expressed clear opposition. “Let’s not pretend – we’re opposed to parts of it. We have very deep reservations about CBAM and we’ve been quite open about it. The idea that one part of the world will set standards for everybody else is something which we are against.”

When asked whether he trusts US President Donald Trump, Jaishankar responded, “Meaning what?” On whether Trump is a partner India is willing to deepen ties with, he said, “I take the world as I find it. Our aim is to advance every relationship that serves our interests – and the US relationship is of immense importance to us. It’s not about personality X or president Y.”

Speaking on China, Jaishankar pointed to efforts by European companies to shift away from dependence on Chinese supply chains. “I just met with several European companies in India that have chosen to set up there specifically to de-risk their supply chains. Many companies are becoming increasingly careful about where they locate their data – they’d rather place it somewhere secure and trustworthy than simply go for efficiency. Would you really want that in the hands of actors you don’t feel comfortable with?”