Jaishankar Honors AI 182 ‘Kanishka’ Victims on 39th Anniversary, Denounces Terrorism
New Delhi, 24th June 2024: On Sunday, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar paid tribute to the victims of the AI 182 ‘Kanishka’ bombing, emphasizing that the anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to never condone terrorism. This solemn occasion marked the 39th anniversary of one of the most egregious acts of terrorism in history. Jaishankar’s statement came amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, concerning what India views as political asylum granted by Canadian authorities to extremists advocating violence against India.
Union Minister Hardeep Puri also condemned the bombing, labelling it as one of the most despicable acts of terrorism perpetrated against India. The bombing of the Montreal-New Delhi Air India flight 182 in 1985 was attributed to Sikh militants in retaliation to ‘Operation Bluestar’.
“Today, we commemorate the 39th anniversary of one of the most heinous acts of terrorism in history,” Jaishankar expressed on X. “I pay tribute to the 329 victims of AI 182 ‘Kanishka’, whose lives were tragically lost on this day in 1985. My heartfelt condolences go out to their families. This anniversary underscores why terrorism must never find acceptance,” he affirmed. The ‘Kanishka’ flight exploded 45 minutes before its scheduled landing at London’s Heathrow airport, claiming the lives of all 329 individuals on board, predominantly Canadians of Indian origin.
