"We stand with survivors, families and communities who carry this loss": Canadian PM Carney on Kanishka bombing anniversary
Ottawa, June 24
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday paid solemn tribute to the victims of the Air India Flight 182 'Kanishka' bombing on its 41st anniversary, saying Canada stands with the survivors, families and communities who continue to carry the loss of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country's history.
In a message issued on the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, Carney honoured the victims of the 1985 bombing and reaffirmed Canada's commitment to combating violent extremism in all its forms.
"Forty-one years ago today, the bombing of Air India Flight 182 claimed 329 innocent lives, including 268 Canadians. It remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canada's history," Carney said in his message.
"On this National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, we honour the victims of Flight 182 and all those who have lost their lives to acts of terrorism and violent extremism. We stand with the survivors, families, and communities who carry this loss," he added.
The Canadian PM said how the legacy of Air India Flight 182 demands remembrance and vigilance, stressing the need for continued efforts to counter terrorism and extremist ideologies.
"Canada's government is confronting and condemning violent extremism in all its forms, with new legislation to defend the safety and security of Canadians, strengthen our national security institutions, and disrupt terrorist financing and support networks," Carney said.
Carney in his message, said that the government is working to support frontline community-based intervention programs and provide the security agencies with stronger tools to better detect, prevent, and disrupt terrorist activity.
"The first job of the government is to protect Canadians, and that will always be our mission and our focus," he said in his message.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday also paid tribute to the victims of the Kanishka bombing on its 41st anniversary and reiterated India's unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
In a post on X, the EAM emphasised that New Delhi remains resolute in its fight against terrorism.
The mid-air bombing, which occurred on June 23, 1985, remains one of the deadliest acts of aviation terrorism in global history, comparable in scale to the September 11 attacks in 2001. The Boeing 747 aircraft, operating on the Montreal-London-Delhi route, was blown up at an altitude of 9,400 metres by the Canada-based Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa, claiming the lives of all 329 passengers and crew members on board.
The catastrophic blast occurred while the aircraft was above the Atlantic Ocean, navigating Irish airspace. Marking the largest mass killing in Canadian history, it claimed the lives of 329 individuals, including 268 Canadian citizens and 24 Indian nationals.
To honour their memory, the High Commission of India in Ottawa, alongside the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver, joins the families of the deceased and representatives of the Indian diaspora annually on June 23 to pay solemn tribute to the victims of this heinous act of terrorism across synchronised ceremonies in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.
More than four decades later, India, Canada, and Ireland continue to share the profound grief of an air tragedy that left the international community deeply shocked and altered global aviation security standards.
— ANI
Reader Comments
A touching tribute from Carney, but I can't ignore the irony. While Canada remembers the Kanishka victims, their courts are giving bail to known Khalistani sympathizers. We need consistent policy, not just anniversary statements. My family in Vancouver still feels unsafe at times.
Proud to see India and Canada standing together in memory of this tragedy. 329 souls - each one had dreams, families, futures. The new legislation Carney mentioned is welcome, but we must ensure it targets the root cause: extremist ideologies being preached openly in gurdwaras abroad. Vigilance is key.
As a Canadian of Indian descent, today is deeply personal. I was 10 when this happened and remember the shockwaves in our community. Carney's words are appreciated, but we need to see real progress on the ground. Too many families still don't have closure. 🇨🇦🇮🇳
Respect to PM Carney for keeping this memory alive. But let's be honest - Canada's handling of extremism has been wishy-washy for decades. Jaishankar's strong statement today shows India's unwavering stance. Security should never be compromised for political appeasement. 🙏
I appreciate the gesture but Canada has a long history of turning a blind eye to Khalistani extremists who celebrated this bombing. Actions need to match rhetoric. That said, it's good that Carney mentioned supporting intervention programs - that could actually help prevent future radicalization.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.