In an unexpected incident witnessed in the cold skies of the Arctic, an Indian Airlines plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit, Canada, after receiving a bomb threat on board, which was later found to be false. The incident occurred amidst notable political tension between Canada and India, following the expulsion of diplomats between the two countries. What actually happened? And how did the political tensions affect the safe skies?
 

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the flight crew made an emergency landing in accordance with security protocols, and this action was precautionary to protect the crew and the 211 passengers on board. The Canadian police confirmed that the passengers disembarked at Iqaluit Airport, and according to local media in Iqaluit, the pilot received a false bomb threat from an Indian citizen on board the flight.

A statement from the airline

The Indian airline shared a post via the X platform, stating that the company regularly inspects the aircraft and passengers according to security protocols, and Air India activated agencies at the airport to assist passengers so they could safely resume their journey.

Subsequent threats

This threat was the second in a row within a few days, as the Indian airline faced several threats in recent days. On Monday, a flight from Air India from New York to Delhi was diverted due to a false bomb threat. Air India Indigo reported receiving threats against two flights heading to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Muscat in Oman.

Canada-India relations

Relations between Canada and India have experienced heightened tensions since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of assassinating a Sikh leader advocating for separation from India and the establishment of an independent Sikh state, which made the Indian government consider it a threat to the security and unity of the country. Canadian intelligence showed the involvement of Indian citizens in the assassination.

India denied these allegations, calling them "absurd" and politically motivated, while accusing the Indian government of attempting to woo the large Sikh community in Canada for domestic political gain.

Escalation of tensions

Tensions escalated as Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the High Commissioner, linking it to the ongoing investigations into the assassination of "Nigar." The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "The decision to expel these individuals was made with great care after the Canadian police gathered sufficient, clear, and tangible evidence." India responded in kind, ordering the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats and withdrawing its High Commissioner from Ottawa, justifying this by citing a lack of trust in the Canadian government's ability to ensure the safety of its diplomats.