The Indian Consulate General in Vancouver announced a memorial event to honor the 329 victims of the Khalistani bombing of the Air India Kanishka flight in 1985, sending a strong message after the Canadian parliament observed quiet in memory of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
“India leads the charge in combating the threat posed by terrorism and collaborates closely with all countries to address this worldwide issue. The Consulate noted on X that June 23, 2024, is the 39th anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka), which resulted in the deaths of 329 innocent people, including 86 children, in one of the most horrific terror-related air tragedies in the history of civil aviation.
“On June 23, 2024, at the Air India Memorial at Stanley Park’s Ceperley Playground area, a memorial service is planned at 1830 hours. Indian Diaspora participants are encouraged to attend the event as a show of support against terrorism by @cgivancouver. #HCI_Ottawa “, it continued.
A bomb planted by terrorists who identify as Canadian Sikhs detonated 31,000 feet above the surface of the Air India flight, which was flying from Montreal to London. Among the 329 people that perished in the accident were 268 Canadians, 27 Britons, and 24 Indians. One of the deadliest incidents of aviation terrorism is this bombing.
The post from the Indian Consulate was made shortly after the Canadian Parliament held a moment of quiet in Nijjar’s honour after he was shot and killed outside a gurdwara in British Columbia the previous year. The Canadian government, led by Justin Trudeau, has suggested that the murder may have been carried out by agents of the Indian government. The claims have been dismissed by New Delhi as irrational and driven. Since then, ties between the two have collapsed.
Members of the Canadian parliament are shown sitting in silence in the House of Commons in a video obtained by the news agency IANS. Speaker Greg Fergus begins the ceremony by stating, “Following discussions among representatives of all parties in the House, I understand there is an agreement to observe a moment of silence in memory of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, assassinated in Surrey, British Columbia, one year ago today.”
This occurs a few days after Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Modi met in Italy for the G7 Summit, during which the latter stated that there is a “alignment” on a number of “big issues” with India and that he sees a “opportunity” to interact with the incoming government.
“Meeted Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at the G7 Summit,” was the caption Prime Minister Modi included beside a photo of him shaking hands with Trudeau on social media.
Following the killing of Nijjar, diplomatic relations became tight, and this was the first meeting between the two presidents. India has consistently expressed concern about the space separatists and anti-Indian groups are granted in Canada.
After his discussion with Prime Minister Modi, Trudeau stated to CBC News that “you get an opportunity to engage directly with a huge range of different leaders with whom there are various issues” is one of the Summit’s key lessons.
“There are undoubtedly strong interpersonal and economically significant linkages with India. There are some important concerns that we, as democratic nations in the world community, agree on and need to address. However, now that he (Modi) has won his election, I believe there is a chance for us to interact, particularly on some very important matters pertaining to national security, the safety of Canadians, and the rule of law,” he stated.
