Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday said the experiences that his country and India had with terrorism were the motivation behind their contributions in Afghanistan.
"Our utter abhorrence of such vile, barbaric acts is the motivation behind our contributions to the international efforts in Afghanistan," Harper told reporters at Hotel Trident, one of the sites attacked by the 26/11 terrorists.
"24 years ago, we were united in grief over the senseless slayings of the 329, mostly Canadians, aboard Air India Flight 182, the worst terrorist attack in our history," he said referring to the blowing up of aircraft 'Emperor Kanishka' in midair on June 13, 1985.
The blast that occurred over the Irish airspace killed 329 people, including 280 Canadians and 22 Indians.
Harper visited Mumbai in connection with a business programme in which he met captains of trade and industry.
"We grieved with you following those harrowing days of November last year when innocent citizens were subjected to outrageous acts of terror that shocked the world," the Canadian prime minister said.
On his first visit to India after taking office, Harper is accompanied by wife Laureen. He will visit Delhi and Amritsar during the three-day visit.
