Air India plane crash: UAE residents remember ex-Gujarat chief minister killed in tragedy

[Editor's Note: Follow KT's live blog for all the latest updates on the Ahmedabad plane crash.]

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, a key figure in India-UAE relations and a frequent visitor to Dubai, was among the passengers confirmed dead after Air India flight AI-171 crashed near Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon.

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Union minister and Gujarat BJP president CR Patil confirmed the 68-year-old's death. “Our leader and former Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, was going (to London) to meet his family. He is also a victim in this incident. May his soul rest in peace. This is a big loss for the BJP,” Patil told reporters.

At the time of publishing, police said more than 290 people had been killed in the aviation disaster. The death toll is expected to climb as rescue workers continue to comb through the crash site — a residential area — and look for survivors, especially of the medical hostel struck by the aircraft.

Rupani had longstanding ties with the UAE’s large Gujarati and Indian expatriate community. In February 2024, he travelled to Abu Dhabi to attend the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir, where he joined Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE leaders at the temple’s opening ceremony.

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He attended the event as part of the Indian delegation and was seen interacting with members of the diaspora. The temple, widely regarded as a symbol of interfaith harmony, has since become a cultural and spiritual hub for Indians in the UAE.

Tributes pour in

Dubai-based psephologist and founder-director of C-Voter Yashwant Deshmukh said he had multiple interactions with Rupani over the years. “He was very grounded, easy to approach, and genuinely affable. There was no air of hierarchy about him. He spoke to people as equals. Whether it was a policy discussion or a casual conversation with the diaspora, he always made time and listened with intent,” Deshmukh said

Girish Pant, a Dubai-based social worker and recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, said, "He was a bridge between Gujarat and the UAE. I had the opportunity of meeting him; he will be sorely missed. We are all shocked and deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with every family affected.

Earlier, the Consulate General of India in Dubai observed a minute’s silence in memory of those lost in the crash.

A Gujarat-born businessman who met Rupani during his 2018 visit said the former chief minister had genuine affection for the diaspora. “He understood our struggles and celebrated our successes.”

During his tenure as Gujarat’s chief minister from 2016 to 2021, Rupani worked to expand economic and cultural engagement with the Gulf. At the 2017 Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, where the UAE was a designated partner country, Rupani highlighted the Emirates’ growing investment role in the state. He also addressed the summit’s valedictory session, welcoming foreign investment and showcasing Gujarat’s global partnerships.

In 2018, he addressed Indian professionals and entrepreneurs in Dubai, acknowledging the contributions of the Gujarati community to the UAE’s gold, real estate, and textile sectors.

Even after stepping down from office, Rupani remained engaged with the Indian diaspora abroad, frequently participating in community events and maintaining close ties with expatriate groups in the Gulf.

Mazhar Farooqui

Mazhar Farooqui, also known as Maz, is a multiple award-winning investigative journalist and Senior ...Read More

mazhar@khaleejtimes.com