Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma Honors Victims of Air India Flight 182 Kanishka Bombing
On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 Kanishka, traveling from Montreal to London and then to Delhi, was tragically destroyed by a bomb over the Atlantic Ocean. This cowardly act of terror, carried out by Canada-based Khalistani terrorists, resulted in the loss of 329 innocent lives, including Canadians, Indian nationals, and other foreign nationals, as well as children.
On the 39th anniversary of this tragic event, the Indian High Commission in Canada condemned any act of glorifying terrorism and emphasized the need for all peace-loving countries to denounce such actions. The High Commission expressed regret that such actions are often allowed in Canada.
Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, paid homage to the victims at a memorial service held at the Air India Flight 182 Monument in Commissioner’s Park, Dow’s Lake, Ottawa. Despite the rain, the service was attended by family members of the victims and members of the Indian diaspora.
During the memorial, Sanjay Kumar Verma stressed that no government should ignore the threat of terrorism for political gains and that human lives are far more important than temporary political interests. He called for all terrorist activities to be met with strong legal action.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also highlighted the importance of not letting political convenience dictate responses to terrorism, extremism, and violence, emphasizing respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.
The Indian High Commission, along with the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver, has been actively participating in commemorating the victims of this tragedy over the years, reinforcing the need for international cooperation to combat terrorism.
