PM Modi speaks to Rishi Sunak, congratulates him on assuming charge as UK premier

Rishi Sunak, 42, took charge as Britain`s first Indian-origin Prime Minister on Tuesday.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (October 27, 2022) spoke to Rishi Sunak and congratulated him on assuming charge as the UK PM. In a tweet, Modi informed that they also agreed on the importance of an early conclusion of a comprehensive and balanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

"Glad to speak to Rishi Sunak today. Congratulated him on assuming charge as UK PM. We will work together to further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We also agreed on the importance of early conclusion of a comprehensive and balanced FTA," he said.

Sunak, 42, took charge as Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister on Tuesday.

Excited about what India-UK can achieve: Rishi Sunak to PM Narendra Modi

Rishi Sunak also took to his Twitter account and thanked PM Modi for his "kind words".

"The UK and India share so much. I'm excited about what our two great democracies can achieve as we deepen our security, defence and economic partnership in the months & years ahead," he said and shared a picture of him speaking on the phone to Prime Minister Modi.

According to Sunak's office, the two leaders discussed shared global challenges and he praised Modi's leadership in tackling climate change.

The two leaders also looked forward to meeting in person at the G20 in Indonesia.

Known as one of the wealthiest politicians in Westminster, Rishi Sunak is also the country's youngest leader in modern times - and its third in less than two months.

After being chosen as the new UK PM, Rishi Sunak, a Hindu, told the country it faced a "profound economic challenge".

"I will unite our country, not with words, but with action," he said.

Sunak, who took over from Liz Truss, also said, "I pledge that I will serve you with integrity and humility; and I will work day in, day out to deliver for the British people."

Rishi Sunak's India connection

Rishi Sunak is the UK-born son of Indian-origin general practitioner father Yashvir and pharmacist mother Usha. His family migrated to Britain from East Africa in the 1960s.

Born in southern England, Rishi Sunak rose through some of the world's top educational institutions - Oxford University and Stanford University, where he met his wife Akshata Murthy, the daughter of Indian billionaire NR Narayana Murthy, founder of outsourcing giant Infosys Ltd. 

During the last campaign, Sunak had also spoken extensively of his migrant roots and referenced making history by lighting Diwali diyas at 11 Downing Street as the first Indian-origin Chancellor of the Exchequer.

He is a regular at the temple where he was born in Southampton and his daughters, Anoushka and Krishna, are also rooted in the Indian culture.

Sunak's political career began with winning a safe Tory seat of Richmond in Yorkshire in 2015 and from junior roles in the Treasury he was suddenly catapulted to the post of Chancellor of Exchequer when his former boss, Sajid Javid, resigned in February 2020.

(With agency inputs)