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Amid a backdrop of visuals of Canada’s iconic landscapes — the Rockies and the Niagara Falls — Canadian high commissioner to India, Nadir Patel welcomed a glittering gathering of diplomats and ambassadors in New Delhi on July 1, 2017, on the occasion of 150 years of Canada.
"Our cultural ties with India are deepening through music, art and Bollywood films. The music you hear tonight is Canadian — Justin Bieber and Drake. This is not a stuffy, diplomatic ball. It’s meant to be a good party,” announced the diplomat at the celebration.
"Hosting visitors and events is enjoyable, more so when one enjoys meeting people,” reveals the ambassador in an interview with Parsiana. Working with Canadian and Indian business leaders and enhancing political relationships, "The job of a high commissioner is 24/7. It is what you make of it,” reveals Patel. It is his work to showcase Canada’s opportunities and diversity, improve cultural and trade relations between the two countries and provide a strong political relationship between the two governments. The billions in investment from Canada, two-way trade enhancement which has increased by 30%, three new non-stop flights from India to Canada, increase in travel and tourism, and educational opportunities for students are indicators of a successful relationship between the two countries and Patel’s contribution as high commissioner.
"India and Canada have strong trade and political links and a potential for enhanced trade and collaboration in arts, culture and business. There is a strong government to government, business to business and people to people link between our countries. I am privileged to be here at this time and for the opportunity to deepen this relationship,” reveals the genial diplomat.
Deputed in 2015 to New Delhi to head Canada’s largest embassy in the world and to enhance trade and diplomatic relations with India, Patel acknowledges with a smile, "My Indian heritage, knowledge of the language and Indian culture is a great asset for me professionally as a diplomat representing Canada abroad…
"I am privileged to be the only ambassador who speaks Gujarati in India today! My interaction with Prime Minister (PM Narendra) Modi is special as we share a common Gujarati heritage,” he states proudly. "Mr Modi is a celebrity in Canada and enjoys a huge support base there,” he reiterates. "I am supportive of Modi’s India development initiatives, economic reforms, focus on increasing jobs and economic progress. I also laud his large initiatives like GST, demonetization and landmark legislations. The Modi Government’s investments in infrastructure enhance confidence in his dynamic leadership,” he adds.
Forty-five-year-old Patel was born in the UK to a Parsi mother and Muslim father who hail from Bharuch, Gujarat. In 1974, the parents with their four sons relocated to Canada. While he has a few memories of life in the UK, he has more vivid ones of his growing up years in Canada. His family spoke Gujarati at home and instilled in him a deep respect for Indian culture and religious heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patel’s first trip to India (Bharuch) was in 1980, when as a young boy of nine he interacted for the first time with both sides of his parents’ families he had never met before. The eclectic mix of religions and culture and the positive experience of his mother’s Parsi heritage and his father’s Muslim ancestry, left a deep impact on the young boy.
While his mother has been a homemaker, his father worked in the textile industry in Preston, Lancashire, UK, before immigrating to Canada when immigration was welcomed by the then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, father of Justin, the current Prime Minister.
Canada’s inclusive society, respect for multiple cultures and religious harmony which is devoid of racism or discrimination was the background for Patel’s happy childhood in Cambridge, Ontario. His identity with Indian culture, heritage and language remained an integral part of his personality from an early age. His command over the Gujarati language is a "huge asset” in his assignment in India today, he reiterates.
A brilliant scholar through his academic life, Patel completed his BA from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1993 and MBA from New York University, London School of Economics and Political Science and HEC, Paris in 2009. He began his career at the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency in Waterloo, Ottawa and Montreal.
His interest in business and trade led him to serve as departmental assistant and agency advisor to the minister and secretary to the Board of Management from 1997 to 2003. Thereafter  he shifted to the Privy Council Office, serving as chief of staff to the National Security Advisor to the prime minister and associate secretary to the cabinet. Subsequently he functioned as senior policy advisor to the clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the Cabinet. Enjoying his work with "good mentors and managers,” he was later appointed Canada’s chief negotiator for International Trade Agreements by the minister of international trade and the minister of transport and served as consul general in Shanghai from 2009 to 2011.
Thereafter, he relocated to Ottawa as assistant deputy minister for corporate planning, finance and information technology and as chief financial officer heading foreign affairs, trade and development with a budget of USD nine billion and 2,400 employees. While home is in Canada where the Canadian Government accords career opportunities, Patel is determined "to do a good job here and deliver good results.”

 

 

 

 

In the last 20 years, the diplomat has visited India frequently, primarily Bombay and Gujarat on work trips. "However, the experience of living in Delhi is relatively new,” says Patel who considers interactions with interesting people the best part of his job along with gaining more knowledge of the diverse geography and culture of India. Business development is of great interest to him and the need to give back to India. He does this by championing nongovernmental organizations, mentoring youth, adopting villages and travelling all over the country. The alarming air pollution, excessive traffic and the healthcare system need greater development in this country, he believes.
Patel balances his personal and professional life admirably, combining international work related travel with day trips in India. Wife, Jennifer Graham, with a Master’s degree in international relations is a fellow-Canadian diplomat. The couple met when she was posted at the Canadian embassy in Shanghai as a trade negotiator. They married in 2014 and have a two-year-old daughter Nylah who was born in Delhi. While time with the family on vacations is a priority, daily interaction with Nylah in the morning and at bedtime is a ritual very close to the high commissioner’s heart. Jennifer lends her support to non-profitable organizations in India, is an athlete, yoga instructor and holds a green belt in Taekwondo. Of Canadian origin, she has learnt and understands her husband’s Indian heritage, enjoys meeting people and traveling in India.
The high commissioner has had the opportunity to meet Zoroastrians in Toronto during events there, as also relatives from his mother’s side on their visits to Canada. The concept of religious freedom is fundamental to the successful diplomat. Alarmed about the shrinking numbers of Zoroastrians worldwide, "preserving the religion is a huge concern,” he adds. He supports the moderate, yet progressive movement to preserve Zoroastrianism and advocates "an openness and flexibility is required to work in tandem with the orthodox, rather than to lose the religion altogether…
"I am proud of my heritage from my mother’s side which creates a special affinity and respect for Zoroastrianism,” mentions Patel, specifying that at home, "We have no religious divide or barrier. This is a true reflection of Canada – appreciation of different cultures and languages and enhancing one’s knowledge of them.”