Relations between Canada and India have always been cordial. However, a controversy erupted recently after Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh refused to meet Canadian defence minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, calling him a ‘Khalistani sympathiser’. The Indian government also frowned upon Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s attendance at Khalsa Day Parade, where tableaus for Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were put up. In an interview with ET’s Krishna Kumar, Canadian high commissioner to India, Nadir Patel defends reasons behind Trudeau’s attendance at Khalsa Day Parade. Excerpts:Our priorities would include increased trade and investment. We would also like to pursue deeper multilateral fora. Canada is the sixth largest exporter of defence equipment in the world, which many don’t know. The defence industry between Canada and India is very limited and we would like to see increase in trade. Canada is best equipped to support India’s clean energy needs whether it is solar or Uranium for the civil nuclear power plants.India has always been important for Canada and our PM has said India is a top priority for us. We are both democratic countries and have a lot to benefit from each other in terms of trade. India is a bright spot around the world in terms of economic growth led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who has done a number of economic reforms. Canadian investment in the last two years alone has increased by 13 to 14 billion dollars, which is quite significant. Helping India prosper and generating more jobs for Indians-there are so many synergies and hence we are interested in doing more with India.The PM’s schedule is published in advance so he can go to any event where people will show up with placard and signs and what not. We have appreciated and taken the view of the Indian government very seriously. At the same time our PM would go to events and we can’t control who shows up and what they come up with. We have made it clear (to India) that the vast majority of Sikhs in Canada are peace- loving and making significant contributions to Canadian society and Canada-Indian relationship. If any law is broken and cause concern and if their activities would go against our legislative framework then our security agencies will act on it right away. We don’t support the breakup of any country.’...The minister (Sajjan) has responded to it effectively and he does not support the breaking away of India. His (Amarinder Singh) comments were not accurate and were disappointing. Our view is that we have a lot to offer to Punjab government in terms of agriculture, education and health care. We value our relationship with Punjab. We want him (Amarinder) to succeed in his reforms agenda.That is something you would have to ask him.