The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 14th June 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The rot starts at the top of the aviation ladder

Why in News?

The Ahmedabad air crash has raised serious concerns about aviation safety and training standards in India. It highlights the need for immediate action by aviation officials and airlines to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols and proper training for all personnel involved in air travel.

Introduction

The tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, shortly after its take-off for London Gatwick, serves as a grim reminder of the consequences when multiple factors go wrong. This incident has been a wake-up call for the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), the judiciary, and airlines, highlighting the urgent need for stringent training and robust safety standards in the aviation sector. Despite India being touted as the fastest-growing aviation market, the persistent issues of corruption, political interference, and lack of accountability undermine this progress. The focus has often been on blaming pilots for incidents, while higher authorities have escaped scrutiny, revealing deep-rooted systemic problems within India’s aviation framework.

Downward slide

Ahmedabad Accident: Preliminary Analysis

Sources of Initial Information

• Primary evidence for the preliminary analysis of the Ahmedabad accident is being gathered from social media video recordings and CCTV footage from Ahmedabad airport.
• The CCTV observations include the aircraft's take-off sequence and the vegetation around the runway area.

Aircraft Configuration and Take-Off Speculations

Aircraft Model

• The aircraft involved in the accident was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Flap Configuration Concern

• There were speculative claims regarding improper flap settings during take-off.

Counterpoint

• Modern Boeing aircraft are equipped with take-off configuration warning systems. These systems prevent pilots from proceeding with take-off unless the correct settings are in place.

Runway Usage

• The flight took off using the full length of the runway, contrary to initial speculations that it might have taken off from an intersection.

Runway Environment & Bird Risk

• CCTV footage revealed significant grass growth along the edges of the runway.
• The timing of the incident coincided with the onset of the southwest monsoon.
• Regulatory requirements stipulate that grass must be trimmed to below 3 inches before the monsoon season to mitigate insect and bird activity.
• Ahmedabad airport has a historical issue with bird infestations, which poses a risk to aircraft during take-off and landing.

Take-Off and Suspected Mid-Air Issues

• Initial Acceleration: The initial acceleration of the aircraft appeared to be normal. 
• 30 Seconds Post Lift-Off: A loud thud was reported approximately 30 seconds after lift-off, as per survivor accounts and video interviews. 
• Possible Causes: Bird ingestion leading to a compressor stall in both engines. 
• Climb Profile: The aircraft exhibited a shallow climb with a high nose-up attitude, followed by a slow descent. 
• Visual Indicators: The aircraft’s nose was elevated while losing altitude, indicating a possible aerodynamic stall. 

Suspected Causes of Engine Power Loss

1. Bird Ingestion
   • Birds may have been attracted to the runway due to insects caused by the overgrown grass.
   • A bird strike is likely to have caused a partial thrust loss in both engines.
2. Foreign Object Damage (FOD)
   • There is a possibility of FOD on the runway, similar to the Air France Concorde Crash (AF4590, 2000).
   • A metal strip may have punctured a tyre, leading to fragments hitting the fuel tank, causing a fire and subsequent crash.
3. Landing Gear Anomaly
   • A key visual anomaly noted was that the landing gear remained extended throughout the climb.
   • Possible reasons for this include:
   • The crew being overwhelmed by the simultaneous bird strike and engine issues.
   • A failure to retract the landing gear, which led to increased drag and compromised climb performance.

Operational and Training Considerations

• The DGCA statement indicated that the captain was a Line Training Captain.
• This raises questions about whether the flight was a training mission.
• If a trainee was at the controls during the incident, it is crucial to understand:
• How the control transition was managed during the crisis.
• The combination of partial thrust loss and potential gear oversight could have contributed to the failure to recover from the situation.

Awaited Investigation Results

• Black Box Components
• Expected Insights
• Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
• Pilot conversation, alarms, and crew response will be recorded.
• Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR)
• Thrust levels, flap and gear positions, and engine status will be monitored.

Conclusion

• The involvement of global aviation authorities like the National Transportation Safety Board (USA) and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (UK) in the investigation of the Ahmedabad crash underscores the need for a thorough examination of potential obstructions in the aircraft’s take-off funnel by Indian officials.
• The reported collision of the aircraft with a multi-storied building (ground plus five floors) raises significant concerns about the proximity of a 70-foot structure to the flight path, prompting an inquiry into the permissibility of such construction in a critical aviation zone.
• This incident serves as a stark reminder to Indian authorities against granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for construction near airports under political pressure.
• The overarching question remains whether lessons will be learned from this tragedy or if similar lapses will continue unchecked in the future.

The endgame of a 2,611-year-old Jewish-Persian enmity

 Why in News? 

 Israel’s attacks on Iran were focused on eliminating critical military assets, but they could have unforeseen consequences both in the region and beyond. 

Introduction

• Despite their mutual animosity, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei both acknowledged the significance of the escalating conflict between their nations.
• Netanyahu viewed it as a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, while Khamenei warned of a grim future for the Zionist regime following their actions.

Operation "Rising Lion": A Historical Inflection Point

• On June 13, 2025, Israel initiated Operation “Rising Lion,” targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.
• This operation could mark a significant turning point in the long-standing Jewish–Persian rivalry, which dates back to 586 BCE, when Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed the First Jewish Temple.
• The operation follows nearly 21 months of Israeli confrontation with Iran and its regional proxies.

Nature and Scale of the Offensive

• Israel employed its signature short, high-intensity blitzkrieg, leveraging advanced technology and real-time intelligence.
• Strikes were carried out against various targets, including:
• Nuclear facilities
• Missile systems
• Key leadership and scientists

Key Operational Details

Strategic Preludes by Israel

• Since October 7, 2023, Israel has undertaken various actions to weaken Iranian influence, including:
• Systematically degrading Iranian proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
• Overthrowing the Assad regime in Syria to facilitate a Sunni Islamist replacement.
• Conducting targeted assassinations of Iranian figures.
• Provoking and neutralizing Iranian missile retaliation.
• Developing superior defense and attack systems, including:
• Laser-based interception systems
• Bunker-buster bombs
• Deep-penetration strike capabilities

Involvement of the United States and Allies

•  Although publicly neutral, the United States is believed to have provided indirect support to Israel through various channels. 

Diplomatic and Economic Measures

•  During Trump’s first term (2018): Withdrawal from the JCPOA and implementation of a “maximum pressure” policy against Iran. 
• Under Trump 2.0 (2025):
  • Intensified sanctions against Iran
  • Freezing of Iranian assets abroad
  • Pressuring Saudi Arabia to end OPEC+ supply limits, leading to a 20% drop in oil prices
  • Weakened Iran’s oil revenue through supply-side flooding

Military and Legal Support

• U.S. and allied forces targeted Houthis to reopen the Bab al-Mandeb maritime chokepoint.
• The IAEA censure of June 12, 2025, initiated by the U.S. and European powers, condemned Iran’s nuclear activities, potentially legitimizing Israel’s strike.

Geopolitical Realignment

• Sudden U.S. overtures to Pakistan suggest potential strategic cooperation, leveraging Pakistan’s border with Iran and the Pakistani military’s alignment with Gulf Arab states for tactical advantages.

Arab World’s Uneasy Response

• Sunni Arab states have a mixed reaction to the Israeli strike on Iran.
• While they distrust both Iran and Israel, they are concerned about potential retaliation from Iran or its proxies.
• Possible threats from Iran include:
  • Disruption of oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for 20% of global oil supplies
  • Covert attacks on strategic targets in Sunni-majority regimes
  • Inciting Shia unrest within Sunni-majority countries
• This instability could create opportunities for the resurgence of terror groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda.

Scope and Risks of Israeli Operations

• Israel claims that its operations are focused on neutralizing Iran’s strategic assets.
• However, observers caution about potential unforeseen consequences, such as:
  • Collateral damage during operations
  • Radioactive fallout or civilian harm

Iran’s Possible Resilience and Fallout

• There is a possibility that Iran could withstand the Israeli attack, challenging the expectation of a quick and decisive outcome.
• A prolonged conflict could have several repercussions, including:
  • Rallying Iranian public support behind the regime
  • Transforming Israel’s actions into a geopolitical liability, particularly in the Global South
  • Escalating regional unrest and economic instability

Global Economic Repercussions

• An extended conflict would exacerbate existing global issues such as:
  • Rising oil prices
  • Inflation
  • Slower global economic growth
  • Supply chain disruptions
  • Financial market volatility
• It could also undermine Donald Trump’s assertions of ending “endless wars.”

Unpredictable Conflict Trajectory

• Conflicts often evolve in unexpected ways.
• While Israel aims for a swift incapacitation of Iran, similar to the U.S. action in Iraq in 1991, the scenario could unfold differently if Iran, despite being severely impacted, chooses to:
  • Expand the conflict
  • Target U.S. allies in the region
  • Potentially provoke U.S. military involvement
  • Initiate regime change efforts or significantly alter Middle Eastern geopolitics

Conclusion

• India has significant interests in the ongoing conflict, including the safety of approximately nine million Indians in the region, a substantial portion of its foreign remittances, oil supplies, and a considerable share of exports and investments.
• India is fervently hoping for a swift resolution to the fighting and a restoration of peace in the region.
• Historically, Iran’s pursuit of nuclear technology has come at a steep cost, with estimates suggesting a expenditure of up to $100 billion.
• Despite being rich in oil and gas, Iran believed that this nuclear endeavor would enhance its national security.
• However, the current circumstances raise questions about the efficacy of this risky strategy.