The High Commission of India in London hosted a solemn multi-faith ceremony in commemoration of the lives lost in the Ahmedabad-London Air India plane crash and for the loved ones grieving this enormous loss.
It coincided with the House of Commons also holding a session in honour of the tragedy that has impacted not only both India and the UK but beyond. UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who referenced this session at India House, reflected upon both countries being united in their grief.
She said: “What struck me over the last few days is that the UK and India may be two countries separated by vast distance, but in the ways that really count we are so very, very close,” Rayner said in her address at the High Commission of India in London.
“We mark our bond today in a simple and profound way. We grieve together. I'd like to extend my condolences to everybody who's here today, and beyond the High Commission. The UK is with you and will continue to support you.”
Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami expressed his gratitude for the UK’s support through a time of “profound grief and abiding shock”.
“Apart from a sense of shock and disbelief, we grieve for the 271 lives lost and the many, many more families and friends they leave behind. So many lives that have been deeply and irrevocably affected that it is hard to imagine how anything we may say or do can offer comfort,” he shared.
The ceremony entitled ‘In Everlasting Memory’ brought together members of Parliament from across political divides, Foreign Office officials, leaders representing all major faiths and community members.
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Meanwhile in Parliament, Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer delivered a poignant statement around the shared bonds and personal ties between the UK and India.
He said: “With an India diaspora about 2 million-strong here in Britain, and with a particularly prominent Gujarati community, we feel the pain of this tragedy together. It reminds us not only of the deep personal ties between our people, but of the strength of our partnership with India — a partnership built on trust, shared values and mutual support in times of crisis,” the minister said.
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: “Last Thursday was a dark, sad and traumatic day for India, the UK and all those affected, wherever they are in the world. I am sure that I speak for the whole House when I say that we stand with them in seeking answers; in working to give them the support that they need; and in mourning the sad deaths of their loved ones.”
