The Indian diplomatic missions in Ottawa and Toronto commemorated the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, a tragic event where Air India Flight 182 was destroyed, claiming 329 lives, including 86 children. High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma paid tribute to the victims during a ceremony described by the High Commission in Ottawa as a solemn occasion, accompanied by photos from the event.
In a pointed statement, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa criticized Canada for allowing terrorist actions to sometimes become routine. It condemned any glorification of terrorism, specifically referencing the bombing of Flight AI-182 as deplorable and deserving universal condemnation from peace-loving nations and individuals.
High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma paid homage to the victims of Air India flight 182 Kanishka in Ottawa today on the 39th anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing in which 329 innocent victims including 86 children, lost their lives.
Addressing the gathering, High… pic.twitter.com/iL4bpg86vh
— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) June 23, 2024
During the commemoration, Verma emphasized the importance of prioritizing human lives over fleeting political interests, urging global collaboration among governments, security agencies, and international organizations to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their funding, and counter their ideologies effectively.
The event was attended by family members of the victims, Canadian government officials, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner, and over 150 members of the Indo-Canadian community. The High Commission reiterated India’s commitment to combating terrorism globally and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims.
In Toronto, Consul General Siddhartha Nath laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial in Humber Park, Etobicoke, marking the solemn occasion. He also participated in a memorial service at Queen’s Park, Toronto, meeting with bereaved families and stressing the need for united international efforts against terrorism and its glorification.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also paid homage to the victims in a statement, highlighting the significance of remembering the tragic event as a reminder of why terrorism must never be tolerated. Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police acknowledged the ongoing complexity and length of their investigation into the Air India bombing, describing it as one of the most significant domestic terrorism probes in Canadian history.