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Twin Bomb Threats Force Emergency Actions on Indian Airlines Across the Globe
Indian airliners were hit by twin bomb threats on opposite sides of the globe on Tuesday, resulting in an emergency landing in Canada’s Arctic and the scrambling of fighter jets in Asia. These incidents are part of a recent surge of similar hoax scares targeting Indian airlines, prompting investigations by authorities in India and abroad.
The first incident occurred when Air India flight AI 127, traveling from New Delhi to Chicago, was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit, Canada’s northernmost city. According to Canadian police, all 211 passengers and crew were safely evacuated to the airport. The airline said the flight had been diverted as a “precautionary measure” following a security threat posted online.
Air India later confirmed that the Canadian Air Force had arranged for the transfer of passengers from Iqaluit to their final destination in Chicago. The airline, in a statement, noted that Indian carriers have faced a series of threats in recent days, all of which have turned out to be hoaxes.
In a separate but simultaneous incident, two Singapore Air Force F-15 fighter jets were scrambled to escort an Air India Express flight from Madurai to Singapore. The plane, flight AXB684, was diverted to Changi Airport after the airline received an email claiming there was a bomb on board. Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on social media that the country’s air defense systems were activated, and the plane was safely handed over to airport police upon landing.
Several other Indian flights have also been affected by bomb hoaxes. On Monday, an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was diverted to New Delhi after a similar bomb threat. Two IndiGo flights, one bound for Oman and another for Saudi Arabia, were delayed due to bomb warnings, while a SpiceJet flight from Darbhanga to Mumbai received a threat on Tuesday but was cleared for further operations after a security check.
Although authorities have not determined whether the threats are connected, Air India has emphasized that it takes all such threats seriously. “As a responsible airline operator, all threats are taken seriously,” the airline said, adding that it is working with authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) is reportedly holding meetings to address the situation, as the country’s airlines face mounting disruptions.
The bomb threats come amid rising diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, though there is no direct evidence linking the incidents to the current political climate. Canada recently expelled several Indian diplomats, accusing India of involvement in acts of violence against Sikh separatists, a claim India has vehemently denied. While the current threats have no confirmed connection to these tensions, they evoke memories of the tragic 1985 bombing of Air India flight 182 by Sikh extremists, the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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