Rishi Sunak with his wife Akshata Murty
Rishi Sunak said today that his travel to New Delhi for the G20 Leaders’ Summit is obviously special, as he joked about being dubbed the ‘son-in-law of India’ as the first British Prime Minister of Indian descent and married to an Indian – Akshata Murty.
Rishi Sunak tweeted, “I’ve landed in Delhi ahead of the #G20 summit. I am meeting world leaders to address some of the challenges that impact every one of us. Only together can we get the job done”, through his official ‘X’ handle.
I’ve landed in Delhi ahead of the #G20 summit.
I am meeting world leaders to address some of the challenges that impact every one of us.
Only together can we get the job done. pic.twitter.com/72vE60c7Fg
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 8, 2023
Speaking to the media on his flight to New Delhi, the 43-year-old British Indian leader expressed his excitement to be returning to India, a country that is very near and dear to him.
He is accompanied by his wife, the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy. He will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit.
Rishi Sunak tweeted, “I’m heading to the #G20 Summit with a clear focus. Stabilizing the global economy. Building international relationships. Supporting the most vulnerable. This action is part of that – Putin again has failed to show up for the G20, but we will show up with support for Ukraine”, through his official ‘X’ handle.
I’m heading to the #G20 Summit with a clear focus.
Stabilising the global economy. Building international relationships. Supporting the most vulnerable.
This action is part of that – Putin again has failed to show up for the G20, but we will show up with support for Ukraine. https://t.co/tLG19ILDLr
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 8, 2023
“It’s certainly unique. I saw somewhere that I was referred to as India’s son-in-law, which I hope was meant affectionately”, he said to reporters accompanying him.
The situation between Russia and Ukraine has been identified as a significant topic for the UK during summit discussions, with Downing Street stating that India’s position and influence are vital.
“Once again, Vladimir Putin fails to appear at the G20. He designed his own diplomatic exile, isolating himself in his presidential palace and shutting off criticism and reality. Meanwhile, the remainder of the G20 is showing that we will show up and work together to pick up the pieces of Putin’s destruction”, Rishi Sunak told media.
His Downing Street spokesperson stated that the UK will take every opportunity to show its support for Ukraine while also fostering global support.
“India has a vital role to play as the world’s largest democracy in calling out Russia’s assault on human rights and indeed democracy itself. We will use meetings with PM Modi or elsewhere to encourage them to use that influence to bring an end to Putin’s brutal invasion”, said Prime Minister Sunak’s spokeswoman.
The India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, which have just concluded 12 rounds of negotiations but have no defined timetable for completion, are anticipated to feature prominently during the Narendra Modi-Rishi Sunak bilateral conversations.
Separately, Downing Street has stated that no changes to UK immigration policy will be made as part of the agreement, however, short-term business visas are being discussed as part of the trade talks.
Official UK government data place the India-UK bilateral trade relationship at roughly GBP 36 billion in 2022, with both sides claiming a deep and forward-thinking FTA.
The two leaders last spoke in May in Hiroshima, Japan, on the margins of the G7 Summit. In London’s UK-India Week a month later, Rishi Sunak expressed his eagerness to reconnect with his Indian colleague, saying he “can’t wait” to do so.
“Prime Minister Modiji and I agree there’s huge potential here. We’re making great progress together on the 2030 Roadmap and we want to strike a truly ambitious trade deal that benefits both our nations, bringing tremendous opportunities to businesses and consumers, both in India and here at home”, he stated at the time.
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