(Trinidad Guardian) Former Trinidad and Tobago high commissioner to India Dave Persad is accusing Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of going too far in trying to please the United States, warning that pragmatism should not become “grovelling” at the expense of the country’s dignity and self-respect.

Persad, an attorney and former diplomat, made the criticism in a commentary examining Persad-Bissessar’s address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week and her Government’s increasingly close relationship with the US.

Persad-Bissessar delivered T&T’s national statement to the General Assembly on September 22, as the country prepares to take up a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027-2028.

Persad argued that while the Prime Minister has good reason to carefully navigate relations with Washington, there is a point at which pragmatism can go too far.

“In fairness, Mrs Persad-Bissessar deserves some understanding, even credit and applause,” Persad said.

“She reads correctly our country’s place in a shifting geopolitical order and understands how vulnerable we are, militarily, economically and politically, next to a superpower. She is pragmatic.”

Persad said pragmatism is broadly about judging ideas by their practical consequences, but argued that this should not require T&T to sacrifice its independence or dignity.

Pointing out that pragmatism has limits, he said, “Stooping to conquer the Dragon gas does not require grovelling before the world. When a leader grovels, it is the people who absorb the humiliation.”

Persad singled out the Prime Minister’s decision during her UN address to endorse US President Donald Trump’s call for artificial intelligence to instead be called “super intelligence.”

During the address, Persad-Bissessar said she agreed with Trump’s proposal and then repeatedly used “super intelligence” and “SI” while outlining T&T’s priorities on emerging technology and international security.

Persad described that endorsement as an example of what he believes crossed the line from pragmatism into excessive deference.

“President Trump had barely finished suggesting that ‘artificial intelligence’ be rebranded ‘super intelligence’ when our Prime Minister committed the entire nation to it,” he said.

“That is grovelling at its lowest.”

Persad also contrasted Persad-Bissessar’s approach with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, arguing that a small Caribbean country can pursue its interests while maintaining an independent voice on the international stage.

He said there was “no excuse” for leaders of small and medium-sized countries to allow geopolitical pressures to erode national dignity.

“There is no excuse for the leaders of small and medium-sized states, in the face of the tectonic shifts now reshaping global politics, to grovel and let their nations lose their self-respect, dignity and integrity,” Persad said.

“A small nation can steer carefully through rough waters without surrendering its dignity.”

He also addressed Persad-Bissessar’s improving relationship with Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, with their governments subsequently declaring the beginning of a “new era in bilateral relations.” Venezuela also confirmed that Persad-Bissessar was again considered persona grata, reversing the position taken during a period of diplomatic tensions in 2025.

Persad, however, argued that both Persad-Bissessar and Rodríguez had adopted an overly accommodating posture towards Washington, describing their UN appearances as being “aimed chiefly at pleasing the President of the United States.”