During the NDTV World Summit on Monday evening, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the Indian government is “not aware” of any specific threats against Air India and its passengers. His comments came after Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a video warning against flying Air India from November 1 to 19, amid a surge of over 100 bomb threats targeting Indian passenger jets in the past week.
“I am not aware of any specific threat today… but we have seen threats in the past to our airlines, Parliament, diplomats, and leaders,” Jaishankar said, expressing concern over these ongoing threats.
While Jaishankar did not directly address Pannun’s warning, he took the opportunity to criticize the Canadian government amid heightened diplomatic tensions following the murder of another Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Vancouver last year. He pointed out the irony in Canada’s stance on freedom of speech, questioning whether they would take such threats lightly if they were directed at their own airlines or government officials.
Jaishankar highlighted the “double standards” in how Canada treats Indian diplomats, noting that Ottawa has allowed individuals considered terrorists by India to operate freely within its borders. He emphasized that these actions, justified in the name of freedom of speech, have led to increased threats against Indian representatives.
Last week, India condemned Canada for allegedly providing a safe haven for violent extremists, particularly after Canadian federal police claimed that Indian diplomats were collaborating with organized criminal groups. Delhi reiterated its concerns about the threat posed to its sovereignty and security.
