23-JUN-2025,05:00 PM Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri delivered a powerful message of remembrance and resolve on the 40th anniversary of the tragic Air India Kanishka bombing, calling for worldwide solidarity against terrorism. Speaking at a commemorative event, he honored the victims of the 1985 terror attack and emphasized the need for a united global front to combat the persistent and evolving threat of terrorism.
His remarks come at a time when international security concerns are on the rise, and nations are reassessing their counter-terrorism frameworks. By invoking the memory of one of the deadliest aviation terror attacks in history, Hardeep Singh urged the international community to remain vigilant and committed to justice and peace.
Hardeep Singh Urges Global Community to Stand Together Against Terror
Terrorism Has No Borders, Says Hardeep Singh
At the solemn ceremony held to mark the 40th year since the Air India Flight 182 bombing, Hardeep Singh Puri underscored a painful yet crucial truth — terrorism knows no borders, and its victims belong to all nations. He emphasized that unless the world comes together to create a zero-tolerance policy for terrorism, such tragedies will continue to claim innocent lives.
“We must draw strength from our shared history of loss to build a future based on global cooperation and shared responsibility,” said Hardeep Singh, addressing families of the victims and diplomats present at the event.
He also acknowledged the Canadian and Indian efforts in investigating and memorializing the victims, but highlighted that much more needs to be done in ensuring swift justice and effective global coordination.
Remembering the Victims of the Kanishka Bombing
The Day That Shook the World: June 23, 1985
The bombing of Air India Flight 182, which was en route from Montreal to Delhi via London, killed 329 people, including 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British nationals, and 24 Indian citizens. It remains the deadliest terror attack in Canadian history and a grim reminder of how far-reaching the consequences of terrorism can be.
As families lit candles and observed a moment of silence, Hardeep Singh reflected on the personal and collective grief that still lingers four decades later. He called upon governments, particularly Canada, to redouble efforts in counter-terrorism intelligence, extradition, and legal processes to ensure accountability.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he remarked, echoing the sentiments of victims’ families who continue to seek closure.
Hardeep Singh Calls for Reforms in Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
More Than Condemnation – Need for Real Action
Hardeep Singh emphasized that mere condemnation of terrorism is not enough. Concrete steps need to be taken at the international level to prevent radicalization, disrupt terror financing, and improve intelligence-sharing among nations.
He proposed the idea of a global anti-terror task force that works under the aegis of the United Nations but functions with more operational independence and stronger mandates.
“We need global laws that are as forceful and connected as the networks that terrorists use today. In memory of the Kanishka victims, let us resolve to act, not just mourn,” he said.
He also appreciated India’s role in multilateral anti-terror initiatives, including participation in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and UN Security Council counter-terrorism discussions.
Canada-India Relations and the Road to Accountability
Hardeep Singh Highlights Diplomatic Gaps and Legal Failures
In a rare moment of direct criticism, Hardeep Singh addressed the historical mishandling of the Kanishka bombing investigation by Canadian authorities. Only one individual was ever convicted, and many of the suspects were not brought to trial due to lack of evidence or bureaucratic delays.
Puri urged Canada to revisit these lapses, offer transparency in intelligence-sharing, and work collaboratively with India to close this painful chapter with dignity and justice.
“The souls of the 329 victims deserve closure. Their families deserve answers. And both our nations deserve accountability,” he said.
Hardeep Singh Emphasizes India’s Zero-Tolerance Policy on Terror
India’s Global Voice on Counter-Terrorism Grows Stronger
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has taken a clear stance on terrorism — one that prioritizes security, intelligence cooperation, and rapid response mechanisms. As Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and former Permanent Representative to the UN, Hardeep Singh has been a vocal proponent of these efforts on the international stage.
He recalled India’s long-standing demand for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN, which remains pending due to lack of consensus on defining terrorism.
“India will not rest until the world speaks in one voice against terrorism. It is no longer just a national issue — it is a humanitarian crisis,” said Puri.
The Human Side of the Tragedy: Stories of Families Still Waiting
Grief, Hope, and the Power of Memory
One of the most moving segments of the event featured testimonies from families who lost loved ones in the Air India tragedy. Parents, siblings, and children — now grown adults — shared their memories and their continuing struggle to find peace.
Hardeep Singh listened intently and spoke to several families, assuring them of the Indian government’s support in any future investigations or advocacy initiatives. He praised the resilience of the victims’ families and acknowledged their role in keeping the memory of the Kanishka tragedy alive over the decades.
Conclusion: A Call to Remember, A Duty to Act
As the world marked 40 years since the bombing of Air India Flight 182, Hardeep Singh Puri’s address stood as both a eulogy and a clarion call — a reminder that while time heals wounds, it should not dull resolve. In honoring the past, we must also prepare for a safer future — one where terrorism finds no sanctuary and every life is valued and protected.
The Kanishka bombing was not just an attack on a plane — it was an attack on humanity, on peace, and on international solidarity. Through his words and actions, Hardeep Singh continues to lead India’s efforts in ensuring that such tragedies are neither forgotten nor repeated.
Souce : ANI
