Kanishka bombing 1985 stresses need for zero tolerance to terrorism: EAM Jaishankar

The 40th anniversary of the bombing of Air India’s Kanishka aircraft is a moment to reiterate that there should be zero tolerance for terrorism, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Monday (June 24, 2025).

His remarks coincided with the memorial event that was organised jointly on the Irish coast of the Atlantic Ocean, where Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri participated and said India had been a victim of terrorism over decades, adding it was a “shared responsibility” of the world community to fight “dangerous ideologies”.

“On the 40^th 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,” said Mr. Jaishankar, paying tribute to the victims of the Kanishka bombing who came from India, Canada, Ireland and other countries.

Mr. Puri led the Indian team to Cork, Ireland where a solemn ceremony was held at Ahakista, to remember those who perished in the terror bombing that took place on June 23, 1985. “This tragedy was a deliberate, heinous attack carried out by extremist elements associated with a fringe and radical movement which sought to weaken India through terror,” said Mr. Puri, who added the tragedy had brought India and Ireland closer

“Terrorism and extremism remain very real even today. For decades, India has suffered the scourge of terrorism. Time and again, our people have endured bombings, assassinations and other atrocities — from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab to Mumbai,” said Mr. Puri, reminding that India experienced mass casualty terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. He also recollected his visits to the Kanishka memorials in Toronto, Canada and said the grief of the families of the victims had not vanished.

“This memorial site stands testimony to the tragedy of that crash on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean not far from here. Out of the ruins of a tragedy, the unique friendship between the Irish and the Indian people was deepened,” said Mr. Puri, thanking Ireland for memorialising Air India 182 tragedy. He described Kanishka bombing as a “stain on humanity”.