Editorial

In a landmark development that brings closure to one of the darkest chapters in India’s aviation history, Canada has formally acknowledged the role of Khalistani extremists in the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, better known as the Kanishka bombing. The admission, coming more than four decades after the tragedy that claimed 329 innocent lives, vindicates India’s consistent position and marks a significant diplomatic victory in the global fight against terrorism.

On June 23, 1985, a bomb planted by Babbar Khalsa militants exploded mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean, killing 280 Canadian citizens, 22 Indians, and passengers of other nationalities. It remains the deadliest act of aviation terrorism in Canadian history and one of the worst in the world. For years, Indian authorities pointed to Khalistani separatist networks operating from Canadian soil with disturbing impunity. Yet, successive Canadian governments were slow to act decisively, often citing free speech and political sensitivities around Sikh diaspora politics. This hesitation not only strained bilateral ties but also allowed radical elements to flourish, undermining the very multicultural fabric Canada prides itself on.

Canada’s acknowledgment is more than symbolic. It represents a long-awaited validation for the families of victims who have endured decades of pain, bureaucratic delays, and perceived indifference. The inquiry commissions and memorials that followed the tragedy repeatedly highlighted intelligence failures and missed warnings. India had shared critical inputs, only to see them sidelined amid domestic Canadian electoral calculations. This admission arrives at a time when India-Canada relations have been under considerable strain due to Khalistani activism, including protests that have targeted Indian diplomatic missions and glorified violence.

The development should serve as a turning point. Canada must now translate words into concrete action: dismantling extremist networks, curbing hate speech disguised as political advocacy, and strengthening intelligence cooperation with India. Khalistani terrorism is not a historical footnote; it continues to threaten peace in both nations. Extraditions of key suspects and stricter monitoring of funding channels linked to separatist groups are essential next steps.

For India, this moment reinforces the importance of persistent diplomacy and evidence-based advocacy on the global stage. It also highlights the need for continued vigilance against any form of extremism that seeks to exploit diaspora communities. As both countries navigate complex geopolitical realities, mutual respect for sovereignty and zero tolerance for terrorism must form the bedrock of their partnership. The Kanishka bombing was not merely an attack on an Indian airline; it was an assault on innocent lives and shared democratic values. Canada’s admission, however delayed, honors the memory of those lost and offers a path toward genuine reconciliation. Forty-one years later, truth has finally found its voice. It is now time for justice to follow.

As the southwest monsoon of 2026 falters, India confronts a sobering reality. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Union Agriculture Ministry have flagged 315 districts across the country as highly vulnerable to rainfall deficit, with concerns deepening due to emerging El Niño conditions. Of these, 111 districts — many in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and other rain-fed regions with less than 25% irrigation coverage — face the gravest risk of drought. As of late June, the national rainfall deficit stands at approximately 43%, making this one of the weakest starts to the monsoon in over a decade.

The implications are profound. Kharif sowing, which supports millions of small and marginal farmers, is already under pressure. Delayed and deficient rains threaten paddy, pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals — the backbone of India’s food basket. Water scarcity looms large, with reservoir levels dipping and groundwater reserves strained after successive years of erratic weather. Rural economies, already vulnerable to climate shocks, could see widespread distress, rising input costs, and potential migration. Food inflation, a perennial concern, may spike if output falls, testing the government’s price stabilization measures.

Yet, India’s weather patterns remain notoriously paradoxical. While large swathes battle drought risks, the national capital region and several other areas are simultaneously gearing up for flood contingencies. Delhi has activated 24x7 control rooms, relief camps, and desilting drives under “Operation Mission Monsoon” to tackle potential waterlogging and urban flooding. This contrast — drought in the hinterland and flood preparedness in cities — underscores the uneven distribution of monsoon rains and poor water management. Climate change is amplifying these extremes: more intense, erratic precipitation events alongside prolonged dry spells.

The government’s proactive stance in preparing contingency plans — promoting drought-resistant seeds, micro-irrigation, and crop diversification — is commendable. However, short-term relief must be matched by long-term structural reforms. India needs accelerated investment in watershed management, renovation of traditional water bodies, and expansion of assured irrigation beyond the current coverage. Precision farming, early warning systems, and greater use of technology for weather forecasting can mitigate risks. Equally critical is policy focus on sustainable agriculture that reduces dependence on monsoon rains.

This year’s deficit serves as a harsh reminder that climate resilience cannot remain an afterthought. With El Niño events likely to become more frequent, policymakers, scientists, and farmers must collaborate on adaptive strategies. The monsoon is not merely a weather event; it is the lifeline of India’s economy and ecology. Failure to address these recurring vulnerabilities will exact a heavy price on growth, rural livelihoods, and national food security.

The coming weeks will be decisive. Timely revival of rains can still salvage much of the season, but the window for preparedness is narrowing. India must treat this as a wake-up call to build a more water-secure and climate-resilient future.

• SAS Kirmani