Prime Minister Mark Carney reminded Canada of its strong opposition to terrorism on Monday, as he commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 disaster—the most deadly terror strike in the country's history.
With a somber statement, Carney commemorated the 1985 bombing of Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182 that killed all 329 passengers and crew.
The aircraft, en route from Montreal to London and New Delhi, was destroyed by a bomb 45 minutes before it was due to arrive at Heathrow Airport. The device had been planted by terrorists operating from within Canada. Of the victims, 280 were Canadian citizens, most of them of Indian origin.
Forty years ago, innocent civilians, 268 of whom were Canadians, were murdered in the bombing of Air India Flight 182. This act of terrorism is the deadliest attack our country has ever seen – one we can never forget," Carney stated.
His statement was made on the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, which is commemorated every June 23 in remembrance of the Kanishka bombing victims and the victims of other terrorist activities.
As we observe the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, we remember the victims of the Air India bombing and all others who have been killed by terrorism," the statement continued.
Carney reiterated that Canada's new government is determined to fight against terrorism, vowing to increase safety and security in communities.
Canada's new government is categorically opposed to terrorism, and we will make good on our mandate for change to make communities safe," the prime minister said.
"Canada will keep working with our allies and partners, both here at home and abroad, to more effectively detect, prevent, and respond to the threat of terrorism and violent extremism," he went on.
Carney's leadership, set in motion following his party's win in the March parliamentary elections, has brought hope for a diplomatic overhaul with India. Diplomatic relations had dipped to historic lows following then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim in 2023 that India might have been linked with the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
The political fallout led to India recalling its high commissioner and five other diplomats from Canada, which led Ottawa to order the expulsion of Canadian diplomats in return.
International leaders meanwhile offered tributes. In Ireland, Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree attended the Ahakista Memorial with Indian Union Minister Hardeep Puri and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to pay tribute to the victims.
Puri urged increased cooperation between India and Canada in the fields of intelligence sharing, counter-radicalisation, and prevention of terror funding.
"India is willing to do more. Our security agencies, intelligence community, and diplomatic missions are deeply committed to working with the world to ensure that such tragedies never reoccur," he added.
Canadian opposition Member of Parliament Chandra Arya also contributed to the day, sharing on X: "The bomb, seeded on Canadian soil by Khalistani radicals, detonated mid-air, breaking up families and leaving a legacy of sorrow that resonates today."
"This heinous act is a grim reminder of the terrible cost of terrorism—and of our shared duty to condemn violence in all its manifestations," Arya said.
"Today, on this solemn occasion, and each day, we unite against hatred, intolerance and division. We stand with the families who lost their loved ones and take a moment to remember and respect each Canadian whose life was lost or forever changed by a terror attack," he stated.
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