It is passing strange that there has been no official announcement by the Government of Guyana on the accreditation of Charrandass Persaud as Guyana’s High Commissioner to India on March 18. Neither was there official word that agrément had been received from New Delhi for Mr Persaud. There was however an official statement from New Delhi on March 18 on the presentation of the letters of credence in which Indian President, Ram Nath Kovind thanked Guyana for its support of India’s candidature for the non-permanent seat on UN Security Council for the term 2021-22.
In his reported remarks, Mr Persaud highlighted the “excellent relations” between the two countries and “conveyed the resolve of the leadership to take them further.” He also thanked the Government of India for the continued development aid and support in capacity-building and further expressed gratitude for its humanitarian gesture in supplying COVID-19 vaccines to Guyana.
Perhaps, the first point that should be made is that Mr Persaud’s elevation to the post of High Commissioner to India will be seen in local circles as his reward for casting the historic vote that brought down the APNU+AFC government on a motion of no confidence in Parliament on December 21, 2018. Of course, Mr Persaud had framed his vote in the context of what he had said was his previously unstated but deep disenchantment with the APNU+AFC’s dismantling of sugar estates and the loss of thousands of jobs. This vote of conscience required no reward but the PPP/C government clearly felt that Mr Persaud had to be given his due and there were several visits by him here, following his decampment to Canada, during which the waters were apparently tested for how he would be received in some post or the other. Even on the occasion of his being a guest of the Speaker of Parliament, Manzoor Nadir, during a sitting of the House it was apparent that the reception would be a rough one. So, as it did with the former Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj, when Western countries made it clear that he should not continue in that position because of the death squad allegations swirling around him, the PPP/C government has assigned Mr Persaud to the post of High Commissioner in New Delhi.
The more important point, however, is that New Delhi would have to be considered to be in the top four of Guyana’s missions overseas. Given the growth of India’s economy and its rising influence in global affairs, Georgetown’s representation has to be of the highest quality to be able to preserve and grow the strategic interests of this country. One just has to consider the prominent position that India has assumed globally with its Vaccine Maitri initiative and how Georgetown’s interest in acquiring more vaccines could be advanced. Indeed, when one surveys the present contretemps in Trinidad and Tobago over its perceived difficulty in accessing vaccines from India, it underlines the need for diplomatic deftness and awareness. India’s role in the delivery of vaccines has also been heightened by the agreement by the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue for the delivery of one billion doses across Asia by the end of 2022.
Guyana’s rapidly growing oil and gas sector may also provide opportunities for the supply of oil to India, the involvement of Indian petroleum companies here and prospects for value-adding. The maximising of these potentials require certain skillsets or at least the access to available human resources. There are many other areas of interest where Guyana’s representation in New Delhi would be tested including enlisting support against Venezuela’s attempts to undermine this country’s territorial integrity and tapping to the fullest extent possible renewable energy options under the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA). It is noteworthy that only a day after his accreditation Mr Persaud addressed participants at the concluding session of the 3rd Batch of the Solar Mini Grid Training Programme for Latin American and Caribbean countries under the ISA.
On February 17th, this year, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd met virtually with the Heads of Guyana’s Missions abroad and Directors of the Ministry. There was no representation then from the Guyana mission in New Delhi. According to a release from his ministry, Minister Todd briefed the Heads on current developments which they should “pay keen attention to in their role to advance Guyana’s interests overseas and enhancing bilateral relations with other countries while expanding economic cooperation”.
On the face of it Mr Persaud does not appear to be the appropriate choice for New Delhi. It is now left to be seen how Georgetown’s decision to make a purely political appointment to the New Delhi mission – as opposed to that of a career diplomat – will advance this country’s interests.
