Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned down a short-notice invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit Washington following his official trip to Canada, citing prior engagements back in India. The development was confirmed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a press interaction.

“President Trump asked Prime Minister Modi if he could stop by the United States on his way back from Canada. Due to pre-scheduled commitments, Prime Minister Modi expressed his inability to do so,” Misri stated.

The invitation from the White House reportedly came just before President Trump made an abrupt departure from the G7 Summit to return to Washington, driven by the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. While the specific nature of Modi’s commitments was not disclosed, sources indicate that key domestic meetings and preparations for upcoming bilateral engagements may have influenced the decision.

The Indian side has maintained that both leaders continue to engage through diplomatic channels and that a future visit will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time. The Modi-Trump exchange comes at a critical juncture in global geopolitics, with tensions flaring in West Asia and major powers recalibrating their foreign policy responses.

Bharat Forge and French aerospace firm Turgis Gaillard have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly manufacture the AAROK Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in India. The agreement aims to meet the growing demand of the Indian armed forces for long-endurance, precision-strike UAVs while boosting indigenous manufacturing under India’s defence autonomy vision.

AAROK is capable of operating at altitudes between 10,000 and 30,000 feet and remaining airborne for up to 48 hours. Designed for long-range surveillance and offensive operations, the UAV carries a payload of over 1.5 tonnes and is integrated with command and control systems to deliver real-time tactical intelligence. It is equipped with electromagnetic sensors and radar for monitoring enemy positions from safe standoff distances and neutralising high-value targets such as surface-to-air defence systems.

Bharat Forge, which has extensive experience in defence, aerospace, and automotive sectors, will establish a production line in India for the AAROK platform. The company emphasized that this collaboration will ensure domestic capabilities not only in manufacturing but also in maintenance and overhaul, strengthening India’s defence self-reliance.

The AAROK UAV is expected to support multi-domain operations, including joint and maritime missions. Its endurance and advanced sensors make it a valuable asset for monitoring territorial waters and tracking unauthorised activities at sea.

India’s current MALE UAV fleet includes Israeli Heron drones, with additional acquisitions like the MQ-9B UAVs from the US and indigenous TAPAS UAVs in development. The AAROK will complement these platforms by adding greater versatility and firepower to India’s unmanned systems ecosystem.

With this partnership, Bharat Forge continues to expand its global footprint in high-tech manufacturing, operating facilities across five countries and offering design-to-delivery solutions across multiple sectors.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) held a high-level meeting with senior officials from Air India and Air India Express to review the airlines’ safety practices, operational readiness, and passenger service standards. The move follows recent incidents that have highlighted the need for enhanced coordination and infrastructure across India’s aviation sector.

Operating over 1,000 flights daily, both carriers have faced increased scrutiny amid maintenance issues, flight cancellations, and airspace-related delays. The DGCA emphasized seven core focus areas in the meeting, including regulatory compliance, fleet reliability, defect reporting, spare part availability, and timely passenger communication.

A major point of discussion was the impact of ongoing airspace restrictions over Iran, which have disrupted flight routes between India and key destinations in Europe and North America. Airlines were advised to explore alternate routing through Central Asia or the Mediterranean and to ensure proactive communication with passengers and crew.

The meeting also reviewed the status of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet. Out of 33 aircraft, 24 have passed recent safety inspections. Two more were expected to clear checks by the end of the day, with another scheduled for completion tomorrow. Four aircraft are currently undergoing major maintenance, and two remain grounded in Delhi awaiting clearance. These inspections were intensified following a fatal crash in Ahmedabad earlier this month.

DGCA officials urged airlines to improve coordination across engineering, ground handling, and operations departments to minimize disruptions and delays. The regulator also stressed the need for a robust real-time defect reporting mechanism to improve operational decisions and compliance with Civil Aviation Requirements.

This meeting underscores the DGCA’s commitment to reinforcing aviation safety, boosting public confidence, and ensuring reliable service amid the evolving demands of domestic and international air travel.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that Air India cancelled 83 wide-body flights between June 12 and June 17, 2025 (up to 6 PM), with 66 of those involving Boeing 787 aircraft. The disclosure comes at a time when Air India is facing intense scrutiny over its operational reliability following a recent fatal crash and widespread service disruptions.

The cancellations were attributed to a combination of factors, including extended turnaround times for aircraft undergoing precautionary inspections, ongoing maintenance on several planes, and airspace restrictions over West Asia. These challenges have especially impacted the airline’s international routes operated by its fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.

Out of Air India’s 33 Boeing 787 aircraft, 24 have completed mandatory safety inspections as of June 17. The remaining nine are either undergoing extensive maintenance or are awaiting clearance to resume operations.

While the DGCA has conducted heightened safety surveillance of the fleet, it reported no major safety concerns during its inspections. Nonetheless, the regulator has directed Air India to strengthen interdepartmental coordination and expedite procurement of spare parts to minimize further disruptions to passengers.

The airline is working to restore regular operations, but delays and cancellations are likely to persist in the short term as maintenance and regulatory protocols continue.