Canada ‘unequivocally’ stands in opposition to terrorism: PM Carney on Kanishka bombing anniversary

Canada’s new authorities “unequivocally” stands in opposition to terrorism, Prime Minister Mark Carney stated on Monday (June 23, 2025) and described the Air India Flight 182 Kanishka bombing terror assault 40 years in the past because the “deadliest assault in our nation’s historical past.”

Additionally learn: 30 years later

The Montreal-London-New Delhi Air India ‘Kanishka’ Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes earlier than it was alleged to land at U.Okay.’s Heathrow Airport on June 23, 1985, as a consequence of a bomb planted by Canada-based terrorists, killing all 329 folks on board. At the very least 280 had been Canadians, with most of them of Indian descent.

“Forty years in the past, harmless civilians, together with 268 Canadians, had been killed within the bombing of Air India Flight 182. This terrorist assault stays the deadliest assault in our nation’s historical past – one we should always remember,” the Prime Minister stated in an announcement.

“As we mark the Nationwide Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, we keep in mind the victims of the Air India bombing and all others who’ve misplaced their lives to terrorism,” it added.

The Nationwide Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism was first noticed on June 23, 2005, with the day chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the Kanishka tragedy.

“Canada’s new authorities unequivocally stands in opposition to terrorism, and we’ll ship on our mandate of change to maintain communities protected.”

“Canada will proceed to work with our allies and companions, at dwelling and all over the world, to raised detect, forestall, and reply to the specter of terrorism and violent extremism,” the assertion added.

Mr. Carney’s victory within the parliamentary election in March triggered hopes for a reset of India-Canada relations, which hit all-time low following then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in 2023 of a possible Indian hyperlink to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In October final yr, India recalled its excessive commissioner and 5 different diplomats after Ottawa tried to hyperlink them to the Nijjar case.

India additionally expelled an equal variety of Canadian diplomats.

Earlier within the day, Canada’s Minister of Public Security Gary Anandasangaree joined Union Minister Hardeep Puri and Irish Prime Minister Taoiseach Micheal Martin to pay tribute to the Kanishka victims on the Ahakista Memorial in Eire.

Mr. Puri urged for deeper collaboration between India and Canada via intelligence sharing, counter-radicalisation efforts, and the disruption of terror financing.

“India stands able to do extra. Our safety businesses, intelligence equipment, and diplomatic channels are totally dedicated to partnering with the world to make sure that such tragedies are by no means repeated,” he stated.

Outstanding Canadian opposition chief Chandra Arya took to X to say: “The bomb, planted on Canadian soil by Khalistani extremists, exploded mid-flight, shattering households and leaving a legacy of grief that also echoes at present.”

“This horrific act stands as a stark reminder of the devastating toll of terrorism—and of our collective duty to reject violence in all its kinds,” he added.

“On this solemn day, and every single day, we stand collectively in opposition to hatred, intolerance, and division. We stand in solidarity with the households who misplaced their family members and pause to recollect and honour each Canadian whose life was taken or irreversibly altered by an act of terrorism,” he stated additional within the publish.