New High Commissioner to India ‘keen and gratified’

FORMER Government Senator Manideo Persad, who last Friday was officially announced as this country’s next High Commissioner to India by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, said he was “very keen” to take up the position. Speaking to Newsday from Manzanilla, Persad said he was “gratified” that the Prime Minister has confidence in his ability to “fly the flag of Trinidad and Tobago and I look forward to it.” Persad said he became aware of being relieved of his senatorial responsibilities for a diplomatic posting in May, when it was announced that he would be given an ambassadorial role. He said since that time, he had been preparing for the job and even underwent training. Persad said he expects to leave for India shortly, “not before the end of the month.” As High Commissioner to India, he will also have responsibility for Japan and China. Efforts to contact former Minister Donna Carter, who was appointed High Commissioner to South Africa and Manniram Rambissoon, the new High Commissioner to Nigeria, proved futile.