Modi congratulates ‘living bridge’ Sunak
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi congratulated incoming British premier Rishi Sunak on Monday on winning the contest to become the leader of Britain’s Conservatives.
Sunak, 42, is the first British Asian to become prime minister. He is married to an Indian, Akshata Murty, the daughter of the co-founder of IT giant Infosys.
“Warmest congratulations @ RishiSunak ! As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030,” Modi tweeted, referring to
a plan for deepening ties in trade and other areas. He added: “Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership.”
Diwali is the Hindu festival being celebrated on Monday (24). The “living bridge” refers to ties between Indians in India and people of Indian origin in other countries. Sunak was born in Southampton, England. His parents were born in east Africa and his grandfathers were from preindependence Punjab in northern British India.
Indian newspapers have been closely following Sunak’s leadership bid, in the same way as when Indian-origin figures – like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella– become high achievers abroad.
Alongside coverage of India’s victory over Pakistan at the cricket World Cup, front pages on Monday reported that the “Indian origin” Sunak was the frontrunner to replace Liz Truss.
The prospect of someone with Indian roots becoming prime minister of Britain – India’s colonial master until 75 years ago – also enthused Indians on social media. Shashi Tharoor, an opposition lawmaker and a fierce critic of British colonialism, tweeted
on Monday that Sunak winning would be a welcome achievement. “I think all of us will have to acknowledge that the Brits
have done something very rare in the world, to place a member of a visible minority in the most powerful office,” he said.