Dear Editor,
It was the most impressive and productive trip of a Guyanese head of government to India. The President deserves accolades for his accomplishment during this short stint in India. It was not an easy trip for the President with available counsel or expertise (of any Guyanese) on India. An absent Guyana High Commissioner in India made it difficult and challenging for the President, but he, himself, is sort of an expert on India’s society and politics given his long stay in the capital as a student during the early 2000s.
He accomplished more for Guyana, at least on paper, than his predecessors who went on official visits – Dr. Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar, and David Granger. Every day, there was a flurry of stories in the written press as well as TV coverage. The President grabbed a lot of media attention, including TV interviews. Ali had professional and productive exchanges and was very successful with several signed agreements. In his speeches, he came across as smart and knowledgeable about the issues. At PBD, he read from a prepared speech with some deviations to pay tribute to Modi and the government. At all other times, he spoke extemporaneously, perhaps with some prepared points.
Ali praised India for its Covid 19 vaccine policy that saved lives not only in Guyana but globally. He made a pitch for investment in and transfer of technology to Guyana. And with assistance from Ambassador Srinivasa, the President successfully tackled a variety of issues — economic developmental, energy, education, funding or loans, agriculture, security, transfer of technology, among others. President Ali’s trip augurs well for India-Guyana relations, and if agreements are transferred into action, Guyana will grow exponentially.
Sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram
