The Indian Economic Trade Organization [IETO] yesterday explained its invitation to disgraced former High Commissioner to India, Charrandass Persaud.
The invitation saw the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here saying that Persaud had already been recalled over an incident where he heaped abuse upon a woman.
In a statement, the IETO said that, ‘as of today 24th November his name [Charrandass Persaud] still reflects in the Protocol Section of the Ministry of External Affairs, Gov’t of India. So it is completely legitimate for him to attend the conference in the capacity of the HC.’ The IETO statement further alleges that it is the local media and Alliance for Change (AFC) who have been using “political rivalry to settle scores” by writing against the High Commissioner.
The IETO described the High Commissioner of Guyana as one who has been working strongly towards the bridging of trade connections between both India and Guyana. The statement emphasized that his [the High Com-missioner’s] office has been actively promoting tourism in Guyana and has invited many Indian companies to visit Guyana. IETO says that ‘it was in this regard it was very appropriate for us to invite him.’
The ITEO also rejected the AFC’s description of it as an Indian government agency. The AFC release was included in an article in yesterday’s Stabroek News. The IETO statement said, “Further the article also says IETO is a body of Government of India which is not true. It is a private NGO that works towards the development of trade and commerce between countries.” The IETO statement then referred to a meeting between its President, Dr. Asif Iqbal, and President Irfaan Ali in Kigali, Rwanda; the IETO says ‘both presidents exchanged warm greetings’.
IETO describes the Guyana-India relationship as “a great partnership” between both countries. Therefore, the statement says, “it is very appropriate that the HC is being invited to the conference for the betterment of relations between India and Guyana.” The statement also noted that Indian investors are actively engaged in Guyana for their business interests and forecast that a big Indian business delegation from the Indian Economic Trade Organization plans to travel to Guyana in March 2023.
The High Commissioner of Guyana was invited along with 4 other ambassadors from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Cuba. The keynote address at the conference will be given by Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Andall. Participating will be the top CEOs from the IT industry, Minister of Education of the State Government, Members of Parliament and other businessmen.
It is unclear if Persaud attended the event.
On Wednesday, the Government dismissed allegations by the AFC that Persaud was still performing his role as the envoy. It made clear that he has already been given his recall letter.
“Mr. Persaud is not performing the functions of the High Commissioner to India… he cannot represent Guyana in the High Commissioner capacity,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd told Stabroek News.
