Former Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to India Dave Persad has accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of going too far in her efforts to strengthen relations with the United States, arguing that diplomatic pragmatism should not come at the expense of the country’s independence and dignity.
Persad, an attorney and former diplomat, made the criticism in a commentary examining Persad-Bissessar’s address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York and her government’s increasingly close relationship with Washington. The prime minister delivered T&T’s national statement on September 22 as the country prepares to serve a two-year term on the UN Security Council in 2027–2028.
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Persad acknowledged that the prime minister has legitimate reasons to carefully manage relations with the United States, describing her approach as pragmatic in light of T&T’s economic, political and military vulnerabilities relative to the global superpower.
However, he argued that pragmatism has limits and should not require the country to compromise its self-respect. He said there was a point at which efforts to maintain favorable relations with Washington could become excessive deference, using the term “groveling” to describe what he viewed as that approach.
Persad specifically criticized Persad-Bissessar’s comments during her UN address regarding artificial intelligence. The prime minister endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that artificial intelligence instead be referred to as “super intelligence,” subsequently using the term while outlining T&T’s priorities concerning emerging technology and international security.
Persad described the endorsement as an example of what he believes crossed the line from pragmatism into excessive accommodation of Washington. He argued that small and medium-sized states can maintain constructive relationships with major powers while still expressing independent positions on the international stage.
The former diplomat also criticized the government’s renewed engagement with Venezuela. Persad-Bissessar met Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, after which the two governments described the development as the beginning of a “new era” in bilateral relations. Venezuela also confirmed that Persad-Bissessar had again been declared persona grata, reversing a position taken during diplomatic tensions in 2025.
Persad argued that both the T&T and Venezuelan governments had adopted overly accommodating positions toward Washington, saying their appearances at the UN appeared primarily aimed at pleasing the U.S. president.
His comments come as T&T seeks to balance closer security and diplomatic cooperation with the United States while preparing to take its seat on the UN Security Council. Persad said the country can pursue its strategic interests without surrendering its independence, dignity or integrity.
