India, Canada Mark 41st Anniversary of Air India Flight 182 Bombing

India and Canada on Monday commemorated the 41st anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182, one of the deadliest acts of aviation terrorism in history. The Boeing 747, operating as Air India’s Kanishka service from Montreal to Mumbai via London and Delhi, was destroyed by a bomb over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board, including 268 Canadian citizens. Memorial ceremonies were held in Canada, Ireland and India to honour the victims and remember the tragedy.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney paid tribute to the victims, describing the attack as “the deadliest terrorist attack in Canada’s history.” In a statement issued on Canada’s National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, Carney said the legacy of Flight 182 “demands remembrance, but also vigilance,” stressing the need to confront violent extremism and strengthen national security measures. He also expressed solidarity with the survivors, families and communities that continue to bear the loss.

The anniversary was marked by emotional gatherings in Montreal and other Canadian cities, where families and community members paid their respects to those who perished. However, according to The Globe and Mail, some relatives of the victims remain frustrated that portions of government records related to the bombing and its aftermath have yet to be fully released, more than four decades after the tragedy. Family members have continued to seek greater transparency and accountability regarding the investigation and the handling of intelligence before the attack.

In India, leaders and officials also paid tribute to the victims. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Commemorative events highlighted the enduring impact of the Kanishka bombing on both India and Canada, with speakers emphasizing that remembering the victims is essential not only to honour their memory but also to strengthen global efforts against terrorism.