Twenty-five years after the Kanishka tragedy that claimed 329 lives, Canadian Premier Stephen Harper on Thursday apologised for the “institutional failings” that led to the Air India bombing and took the first step towards providing compensation to the victims’ families.
In an emotional speech marking the 25th anniversary of the attack, Mr Harper said: “the mere fact of the destruction of Air India Flight 182 is the primary evidence that something went very, very wrong. For that, we are sorry. ” “For that, and also for the years during which your legitimate need for answers and, indeed, for empathy, were treated with administrative disdain,” he added.
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Top US senator to visit India
Washington, June 24: A top US Senator would travel to India next month as part of his effort to give a new thrust to Indo-US relationship, before the November visit of President Barack Obama.
Senator Christopher Dodd, who is co-chair of the Senate India Caucus is scheduled to travel to India early July. He is likely to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, along with other top Indian officials, besides eminent political leaders. Mr Dodd, who helped secure the passage of the Indo-US civilian nuclear co-operation agreement in a letter to the Prime Minister said, he is looking forward to his upcoming visit to New Delhi, Mumbai an Jaipur. “I plan to continue working to advance the cause of friendship between our two nations,” Mr Dodd said. —PTI