S Jaishankar reflected on the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, highlighting its enduring significance as a reminder against tolerating terrorism. The tragic incident claimed 329 lives aboard an Air India flight, including 86 children, marking one of the most devastating terror-related air disasters in civil aviation history.
Indian missions in Ottawa and Toronto solemnly commemorated this sombre occasion on Sunday. High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma led tributes, condemning the bombing as a “cowardly terrorist attack”. The High Commission in Ottawa shared poignant photographs from the event.
Verma highlighted the imperative for governments worldwide to confront terrorism without political compromise. He stressed the necessity for unified global efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing, and counter their destructive ideologies.
The ceremony drew family members, friends of the victims, Canadian officials, and members of the Indo-Canadian community. The Indian High Commission expressed gratitude for international solidarity in the fight against terrorism, affirming India’s unwavering commitment to this shared goal.
The tragic bombing, occurring on June 23, 1985, has been attributed to Sikh separatists in response to ‘Operation Bluestar’ the previous year. The Consulate General of India in Toronto also paid respects at the Air India 182 memorial, underlining the global necessity to combat terrorism collectively.
Assistant Commissioner David Teboul of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police acknowledged the ongoing complexity of the investigation into the bombing, reaffirming their dedication to seeking justice and supporting the victims’ families.
