When Justin Trudeau became leader of the Liberal party, the Conservatives were leading in the polls with the New Democratic party second. Trudeau, whose Liberals were third, campaigned as a compassionate man who respects citizens, favors equality and promotes justice. His party won a majority of seats in the election. He remains popular though three years in office have produced some disappointments.

Trudeau made several campaign promises, some of which he has not implemented. But he remains committed to improving the lives of the Aboriginal people, fighting racism against blacks and protecting the environment, three daunting tasks that require courage, wisdom and compassion.

Trudeau remains popular with the people and indeed with much of the world. His Liberals lead in polls, but by a slim margin. Trudeau also is less popular than he used to be. However, with an election more than a year away he has time to win over more voters.

Last year he was criticized for vacationing at the Aga Khan’s private island in the Caribbean. The Aga Khan Foundation enjoys tax-free status as a philanthropic organization so the ethics commissioner found the trip to be inappropriate.

Then he visited China and his statements implied that the Chinese should follow the Canadian values of tolerating dissent, promoting free speech, permitting free elections and respecting human rights. His hosts were not amused.

But it was his recent trip to India that brought him ridicule because of his attire and censure because he was seen as being close to Canadian Sikhs, some of whom were seen in India as sympathetic to the Sikhs who want a separatist Sikh state called Khalistan in India. Trudeau reassured his hosts that neither he nor his country favors such separatists. Because Trudeau’s cabinet has four Sikhs and not one Hindu, though it has two Muslims of Somali and Afghan origin, some Indians are concerned that Sikh separatists are close to Trudeau.

Trudeau has been to Sikh gatherings in Canada which displayed pro-Khalistan placards. But Trudeau also visits other communities and places of worship – Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh. There is no way he can prevent Sikh separatists from going to the gatherings he attends, unless he were to shun the Sikhs altogether.

Not only is freedom of speech an integral part of the Canadian heritage, Canada sees diversity as a strength and freedom of speech as a vital component of Canadian democracy. Even the separatists who are committed to try to yank Quebec away from Canada enjoy full political rights and have even formed the government in Quebec province with no interference from Ottawa.

When former Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited India three years ago, he took along two armored cars for safety. Trudeau mingled freely with the people and instead of an armored car he took along a chef. But he dressed in lavish costumes that only opulent Indians wear and that too only on special occasions. Though his gesture was meant to show that Canada respects diverse cultures he overdid it by wearing such clothes frequently, with his wife and children also so dressed. What was a welcome show of respect seemed contrived because it was overdone.

The Canadian High Commission in India also invited Jaspal Atwal, who had been convicted of attempting to kill a visiting Indian minister in British Columbia in 1986, to a dinner with Trudeau. Atwal had been jailed but was later freed. The invitation was quickly rescinded. But it riled Indians and it didn’t help that a Canadian official clumsily blamed the Indian government for what was a Canadian decision.

Trudeau soothed his hosts by pointing out that in Canada even Canadian separatists enjoy freedom of speech and that Canada does not support violence or separatist movements in India or anywhere else. However, the controversy detracted from what was a productive trip. Both countries want better relations and to boost their rather meager $8 billion a year trade.

The Trudeau visit brought hundreds of Indian businessmen, educators and others to business forums in Mumbai and Delhi. Commercial contracts worth $1 billion were signed which would see Indians invest $250 million in Canada, creating 5,800 jobs, and Canadians invest $750 million in India.

Though the media stated that India had snubbed Canada by not treating Trudeau as a valued dignitary, Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed satisfaction with the visit and said they wanted even closer relations. Canada has some 1.3 million citizens of Indian origin. The Canadian high commissioner to India, Nadir Patel, is of Indian origin but he is not a Sikh. Though the Sikh controversy dominated Trudeau’s visit, behind the headlines the two countries strengthened their relations, which is in the interest of both.

Canada has been trying for years to diversify its trade and expand its global network. It is making progress, as the Trudeau visit to India shows.

Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan is a retired Canadian journalist, civil servant and refugee judge.