EAM Jaishankar Marks 40th Anniversary Of Kanishka Bombing; Reiterates Zero Tolerance For Terrorism

On the 40th anniversary of one of the deadliest aviation terror attacks in history, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid heartfelt tribute to the 329 victims of the 1985 Kanishka bombing.

He also renewed India’s firm call for global zero tolerance towards terrorism and violent extremism.

Taking to X, Jaishankar posted, “On the 40th anniversary of Air India 182 ‘Kanishka’ bombing, we honour the memory of the 329 lives lost in one of the worst acts of terrorism. A stark reminder of why the world must show zero tolerance towards terrorism and violent extremism.”

The tragedy and its impact

Air India Flight 182, named ‘Kanishka’ after the famed Kushan emperor, was en route from Montreal to Mumbai via London and Delhi when a bomb exploded in its cargo hold on 23 June 1985.

The Boeing 747 had just departed Montreal and was flying over the Atlantic Ocean when it vanished from radar after contacting Shannon Air Traffic Control in Ireland.

The blast claimed all 329 lives on board, including 22 crew members.

The investigation further revealed that the bomb-laden luggage had originated from Vancouver, exposing a wider transnational conspiracy linked to Khalistani extremists.

Authorities blamed Babbar Khalsa, a Khalistani separatist group, for the attack. They convicted British-Canadian national Inderjit Singh Reyat for assembling the bomb.

Investigators identified Talwinder Singh Parmar, a key Babbar Khalsa leader, as the mastermind, but he evaded justice.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri led a high-level Indian delegation to Ireland.

The delegation participated in the memorial service held at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork on Monday.

Other delegates included BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh and elected representatives from five Indian states—Arvinder Singh Lovely (Delhi), Baldev Singh Aulakh (Uttar Pradesh), Gurveer Singh Brar (Rajasthan), Trilok Singh Cheema (Uttarakhand), and Narinder Singh Raina (Jammu & Kashmir).

International recognition & solidarity

The commemorative event was held in the presence of Ireland’s Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, Canadian Minister Gary Anandasangaree, and various international dignitaries.

Their participation also reflects the enduring significance of the tragedy and the collective global resolve to confront terrorism.

The solemn anniversary underscores the continuing need to combat ideologies of hatred and separatism.

Jaishankar’s message echoes India’s longstanding call for international cooperation to ensure that tragedies like Kanishka are never repeated.

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