Jaishankar congratulates Indo-Canadian Anita Anand on her appointment as Canada's foreign minister
Congratulate @AnitaAnandMP on your appointment as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
🇮🇳 🇨🇦
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 14, 2025
I am honoured to be named Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians. pic.twitter.com/NpPqyah9k3
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) May 13, 2025
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First Post
6 hours ago
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History Today: The deadly bombing of Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182 that killed 329 people
On June 23, 1985, Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182, flying from Montreal to New Delhi, exploded mid-air just 45 minutes before it was due to land at London's Heathrow Airport. All 329 people on board were killed. Most of the victims were Canadians of Indian descent. It remains the worst aviation tragedy in Canada's history. The attack was blamed on Sikh extremists as retaliation for 'Operation Blue Star', the 1984 Indian army action to remove militants from the Golden Temple read more On June 23, 1985, Air India's Montreal-New Delhi 'Kanishka' Flight 182 exploded in mid-air just 45 minutes before it was due to land at London's Heathrow Airport. All 329 people on board died, most of them Canadians of Indian descent. The attack was blamed on Sikh extremists as retaliation for 'Operation Blue Star' , the 1984 Indian military action to remove militants from the Golden Temple. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today , is your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also on this day in 2018, a Thai football team known as the Wild Boars went exploring a cave after practice. What began as a fun trip quickly turned into a nightmare when monsoon rains trapped them inside. The group remained stuck for more than two weeks, in a rescue that captured attention around the world. Further, in 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum to decide on its membership in the European Union. A total of 51.9 per cent voted in favour of leaving ('Brexit'), while 48.1 per cent wanted to stay. This was the first time a country chose to leave the union. Let's take a look at the events in detail: The bombing of Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182 On this day in 1985, Air India Flight 182 was on its way from Montreal to New Delhi when it exploded mid-air, just 45 minutes before it was meant to land at London's Heathrow Airport. All 329 passengers and crew died in the blast. Most of those on board were Canadians of Indian origin. It remains the deadliest aviation disaster in Canadian history. All 329 passengers and crew died in the blast. Reuters/File Photo The Babbar Khalsa, a Sikh terrorist outfit, was held responsible for the attack. It was seen as a direct response to the army operation carried out at the Golden Temple in June 1984. After the incident, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) launched a massive inquiry. It went on to become one of the longest and most detailed terrorism investigations ever undertaken in Canada. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A few months after the bombing, Talwinder Singh Parmar, who led the Babbar Khalsa, and Inderjit Singh Reyat, an electrician, were taken into custody by the RCMP. Parmar, who was earlier sought by India for extradition in the early 1980s, was released due to a 'lack of evidence". Later findings showed that Parmar was behind the attack. He was killed by Indian police in 1992. In 2000, Ripudaman Singh Malik, a businessman based in Vancouver, and Ajaib Singh Bagri, a mill worker from British Columbia, were charged with offences including mass murder and conspiracy. But in 2005, after a long court process, both were cleared of all charges. The judge cited problems with the facts presented and questions over the reliability of key witnesses. The verdict came as a blow to the families of the victims. Reyat was the only person who ended up being found guilty in connection with the bombing. He was later convicted of lying under oath during the trial of Malik and Bagri, which led to a further prison sentence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It began as a casual outing after football practice. On June 23, 2018, Ekkapol Chantawong, a 25-year-old coach, took his Thai youth team, the Wild Boars, to explore a cave he had visited before. The plan was to spend around an hour inside. But once inside, monsoon rains arrived, flooding the entrance and leaving the coach and his 12 players, aged between 11 and 16, stuck underground. They would stay trapped for over two weeks, in a tragedy that gained worldwide attention. The group had entered the Tham Luang cave system with only a rope, a torch and some batteries. They carried no food or water. They would stay trapped for over two weeks. Reuters/File Photo News of their disappearance spread quickly, and the search effort turned global. An international team of cave divers, led by Thai Navy Seals, launched a major operation to find and rescue them. British divers located the team around 2.5 miles inside the cave on July 2, 2018. A highly risky rescue followed. All the boys and their coach were brought out between July 8 and 10. The operation claimed the life of a volunteer and former Thai Navy Seal, Saman Kunan, who died on July 6 while delivering oxygen tanks and ran out of air underwater. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Brexit: When UK voted to pull out of European Union On this day in 2016, the United Kingdom held a vote to decide whether to remain in the European Union (EU). Voters were asked: 'Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?' A total of 51.89 per cent chose to leave. After the formal notice to withdraw was submitted in March 2017, negotiations on the terms of exit carried on for more than two years. Then Prime Minister Theresa May, whose leadership was closely tied to Brexit , stepped down in July 2019 after failing multiple times to get her deal approved in Parliament. Her successor, Boris Johnson, eventually led the country out of the EU. Notably, the term 'Brexit' is the name given to the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. AP/File Photo The UK officially exited the bloc on January 31, 2020. The right to live and work freely between Britain and EU member states came to an end. Notably, the term 'Brexit' is the name given to the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. It is a combination of 'Britain' and 'exit'. This Day, That Year 1956: Gamal Abdel Nasser was elected as Egypt's president. 1961: The Antarctic Treaty came into force, setting aside the continent for peaceful, non-political scientific research. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 1992: Mafia leader John Gotti, known as the 'Teflon Don' for avoiding conviction in several trials during the 1980s, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty on 14 counts, including conspiracy to commit murder and racketeering. 2022: The US Supreme Court declared that Americans have the right to carry firearms in public for self-defence.
The Hindu
17 hours ago
- The Hindu
We shouldn't expect smooth sailing all time: Jaishankar on India's ties with neighbours
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that India "should not expect smooth sailing" all the time when it comes to its ties with the neighbouring countries. However, he asserted that New Delhi has tried to create a "collective interest" to build an inherent stability in relationships, irrespective of the regime. At the end of the day, "the logic every one of our neighbours must realise" is that working with India will "give you benefits", and not working with India "has a cost", he said, without elaborating. "Some take longer to realise, some understand it better. One exception of course is Pakistan, because it has defined its identity under the army, in a way it has an in-built hostility in it. So if you put Pakistan aside, the logic will apply everywhere else," Mr. Jaishankar said during an interactive session hosted on DD India. He shared a link to the nearly hour-long interaction on his X handle on Saturday night. In conversation with a strategic expert, he was also asked about the changes in stance of the U.S. and China in the last 11 years, and how New Delhi looked at this change. "Where the U.S. is concerned, yes, there is unpredictability, therefore at a systemic level, you stabilise it with as many linkages and relationships as possible," Mr. Jaishankar said. "With China, if you have to stand up to that country and we have had some very difficult period, so it's important to prepare the capabilities," he said. The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. The Minister said one of the "really perplexing" aspects of India's China policy was the "complete neglect of our border infrastructure in the previous decades". "To have a China policy and neglect your border infrastructure was absurd," he argued. "And, that is one of the things which has changed. We have today that standing up, in defence of our national interests, along the LAC. It is because we have built the border infrastructure to make that possible," Mr. Jaishankar said. During the conversation, he spoke at length about deepening of ties with countries in India's neighbourhood, and increase in reach out to the Gulf nations in the last 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as also deepening of ties with the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific regions. He (Modi) has "given us a goal" but also in many ways charted a path to get there, Mr. Jaishankar said. Mr. Jaishankar also mentioned the ongoing Operation Sindhu launched by India to evacuate its nationals from conflict-hit areas as military confrontation between Israel and Iran intensified. Recalling Operation Ganga, he said it was the "most complex one" because evacuation was taking place during war-time in Ukraine. On volatility in India's neighbourhood and regime changes that have been ostensibly not favourable to India's interests, he said, "there will be changes". "We have tried to create a culture, a system and a collective interest, so that even if there is instability, the collective interest is stronger than those who are advocating distancing," Mr. Jaishankar said. He cited instances of Sri Lanka and how despite a change in regime, bilateral ties are good. Mr. Jaishankar also said that even after the initial period of difficulties, ties with Maldives are better. "Nepal... We are often in their internal politics, very often we get dragged in. We should not expect smooth sailing all the time, that never happens for any country with its neighbours," he said. "But, you should also not throw up your hands when things get difficult. That's poor planning," he said. Mr. Jaishankar also emphasised that New Delhi is doing the "sensible thing", which is to create systems, "create common interests, and create an inherent stability in that relationship, whichever is the regime". On counter-terrorism, and India's outlook towards Pakistan, he said the Mumbai attack was in many ways a "turning point", and the sentiment in this country was, now "enough is enough, things have to change". The 26/11 Mumbai attack, probably one of the worst terrorist assaults on any city, was let "unpunished", he said, adding that "we had decades of a policy and outlook towards Pakistan". But, the Modi government changed that approach, he said, and cited the 2016 Uri surgical strike, 2019 Balakot air strike and the recent Operation Sindoor. "What we have done is to really create a new normal, that the initiative will not always be with you, and that you can do horrible things and think there is impunity because you are on that side," he said. Mr. Jaishankar also said that counter-terrorism actions and abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir should not be seen as single ideas, but part of a "holistic thinking". During the conversation, the Union Minister described Mr. Modi as a "leader of his times". There has been an evolution of public sentiments, the country has changed, and the "PM reflects that change in mood, self-confidence", he said. On changing stances of the U.S. and China over the past decade, he said, "What you are talking about are trendlines, which didn't happen one fine day, they developed over many years". He said what India has systematically tried to do is to "deepen our posture, our strategic posture, to have good relations with all major countries, but also other regions, so that we get into the optimal position". "We have been planning for a multi-polar world, one of course we desire, because that gives us higher profile and more influence," Mr. Jaishankar said. In the last 11 years of foreign policy, the consistent theme underpinning it is "multipolarity", he asserted. "You need to have that clarity, you need to envision the world today... Multiple poles are competing but cooperating with each other. But, here, we tried to have in a way the least problems and most benefits," Mr. Jaishankar added.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
We shouldn't expect smooth sailing all time: Jaishankar on neighbourhood ties, volatility
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India 'should not expect smooth sailing' all the time when it comes to its ties with the neighbouring countries but asserted that New Delhi has tried to create a 'collective interest' to build an inherent stability in relationships, irrespective of the regime. At the end of the day, 'the logic every one of our neighbours must realise' is that working with India will 'give you benefits', and not working with India 'has a cost', he said, without elaborating. 'Some take longer to realise; some understand it better. One exception, of course, is Pakistan, because it has defined its identity under the Army; in a way it has an in-built hostility in it. So if you put Pakistan aside, the logic will apply everywhere else,' the EAM said during an interactive session hosted on DD India. Dr. Jaishankar shared a link to the nearly hour-long interaction on his X handle on Saturday (June 21, 2025) night. In conversation with @sreeramchaulia on 11 years of Foreign Policy in the Modi era. @DDNewslive — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 21, 2025 In conversation with a strategic expert, he was also asked about the changes in stance of the U.S. and China in the last 11 years and how New Delhi looked at this change. 'Where the U.S. is concerned, yes, there is unpredictability; therefore, at a systemic level, you stabilise it with as many linkages and relationships as possible,' Dr. Jaishankar said. 'With China, if you have to stand up to that country — and we have had some very difficult periods — so it's important to prepare the capabilities,' he said. Opinion: Understanding India's China conundrum The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. The Minister said one of the 'really perplexing' aspects of India's China policy was the 'complete neglect of our border infrastructure in the previous decades'. 'To have a China policy and neglect your border infrastructure was absurd,' he argued. 'And, that is one of the things which has changed. We have today that standing up, in defence of our national interests, along the LAC. It is because we have built the border infrastructure to make that possible,' Dr. Jaishankar said. During the conversation, he spoke at length about the deepening of ties with countries in India's neighbourhood and the increase in outreach to the Gulf nations in the last 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as the deepening of ties with the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific regions. He (Modi) has 'given us a goal' but also, in many ways, charted a path to get there, the EAM said. Dr. Jaishankar also mentioned the ongoing Operation Sindhu launched by India to evacuate its nationals from conflict-hit areas as military confrontation between Israel and Iran intensified. Recalling Operation Ganga, he said it was the 'most complex one' because evacuation was taking place during war-time in Ukraine. On volatility in India's neighbourhood and regime changes that have been ostensibly not favourable to India's interests, he said, 'there will be changes'. 'We have tried to create a culture, a system and a collective interest, so that even if there is instability, the collective interest is stronger than those who are advocating distancing,' Dr. Jaishankar said. He cited instances of Sri Lanka and how, despite a change in regime, bilateral ties are good. Dr. Jaishankar also said that even after the initial period of difficulties, ties with Maldives are better. 'Nepal... We are often in their internal politics; very often we get dragged in. We should not expect smooth sailing all the time; that never happens for any country with its neighbours,' he said. 'But you should also not throw up your hands when things get difficult. That's poor planning,' he said. Dr. Jaishankar also emphasised that New Delhi is doing the 'sensible thing', which is to create systems, 'create common interests, and create an inherent stability in that relationship, whichever is the regime'. On counter-terrorism and India's outlook towards Pakistan, he said the Mumbai attack was, in many ways, a 'turning point', and the sentiment in this country was, now 'enough is enough, things have to change'. The 26/11 Mumbai attack, probably one of the worst terrorist assaults on any city, was let 'unpunished', the EAM said, adding that 'we had decades of a policy and outlook towards Pakistan'. But the Modi government changed that approach, the EAM said, and cited the 2016 Uri surgical strike, the 2019 Balakot air strike and the recent Operation Sindoor. 'What we have done is to really create a new normal, that the initiative will not always be with you, and that you can do horrible things and think there is impunity because you are on that side,' he said. Dr. Jaishankar also said that counter-terrorism actions and abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir should not be seen as single ideas, but part of a 'holistic thinking'. During the conversation, the Union Minister described Modi as a 'leader of his times'. Opinion: Resetting the India-U.S. partnership in uncertain times There has been an evolution of public sentiments; the country has changed, and the 'PM reflects that change in mood, self-confidence', he said. On the changing stances of the U.S. and China over the past decade, he said that 'what you are talking about are trendlines, which didn't happen one fine day; they developed over many years'. He said what India has systematically tried to do is to 'deepen our posture, our strategic posture, to have good relations with all major countries, but also other regions, so that we get into the optimal position'. 'We have been planning for a multipolar world, one, of course, we desire, because that gives us a higher profile and more influence,' Dr. Jaishankar said. In the last 11 years of foreign policy, the consistent theme underpinning it is 'multipolarity', he asserted. 'You need to have that clarity, you need to envision the world today... Multiple poles are competing but cooperating with each other. But, here, we tried to have in a way the least problems and most benefits,' he added.
