Air Force Pilot Dies in Jaguar Fighter Jet Crash; Modi Attends BIMSTEC Summit

An Air Force pilot has died in a Jaguar fighter jet crash in Gujarat, while another pilot is safe. Prime Minister Modi has left for the BIMSTEC summit in Thailand. President Trump announced a 26% tariff on imports from India, complicating trade talks.

On Thursday, it was reported that an Air Force pilot died following a tragic crash of a Jaguar fighter jet in Gujarat, according to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Another pilot managed to safely eject from the aircraft and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar. The incident occurred around 9:30 PM on Wednesday near Suvarda village, approximately 12 kilometers from Jamnagar city. The fighter jet was on a training mission when it broke apart, igniting a significant fire at the crash site.

In political news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Thailand on Thursday to attend the sixth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). PM Modi emphasized the importance of BIMSTEC as a key forum for regional development, stating he is eager to meet with the leaders of the member countries to strengthen collaboration for the benefit of their populations.

Also noteworthy is the announcement made by United States President Donald Trump on Thursday regarding reciprocal tariffs on India, complicating the ongoing bilateral trade discussions. Trump revealed a new tariff of 26% on all imports from India, expressing that the duty imposed by India on U.S. products is exorbitantly high compared to the minimal duties charged by the U.S. for many years. This development is seen as a setback for India’s trade expectations under Trump’s administration.

In summary, the tragic crash of a Jaguar fighter jet in Gujarat resulted in the death of one pilot, while another remains in recovery. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Modi is engaging with regional leaders at the BIMSTEC summit, and President Trump has announced significant tariffs on Indian imports, impacting bilateral trade relations. These events underscore ongoing developments in both domestic and international spheres affecting India.

Original Source: www.business-standard.com