Dear Editor,
I commend prominent citizen, Christopher Ram, for his Business and Economic Commentary in SN titled, “Modi’s visit – euphoria v. reality” (SN, 11/24/24). In this poorest and most obvious of transparent contributions, Narendra Modi came to Guyana with one objective in mind. A big bucket of oil. One that is so big that it could hold 2 million barrels of oil in one shot. With proper respect to Chris Ram, everything else – the happy talk, the jolly good fellow camaraderie, the wining and dining, meant nothing. What mattered to Modi and India was energy security, with which Guyana can help. Let’s make a deal, was what Modi had in mind.
Sorry, no deal, was what came from Ali. Some one-sided brotherhood that is; somebody will be cursing all the way to India. Why is that coloured people always deal so shabbily with their brothers? Top people do not usually deal with one another the way President Ali did with PM Modi. The tough guy stance, hardball game that Ali played with Modi is what he should be bringing out every day through unyielding confrontations with Alistair Routledge.
Poor Modi went through the pageantry and palaver, and look what it got him: a medal. When time to talk oil came up, the usually-filled-with-energy Ali suddenly became cagey. Even wid deh own ile deh gah fuh check wid Eggs-aan. On behalf of the Guyanese people, I tender an apology to Prime Minister Modi. Once India was ready to pay the premium for those two million barrels, then the shipment should be theirs. Goodbye, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
