British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted a special reception at 10 Downing Street in London as part of the ongoing UK-India Week. The event brought together a diverse group of political leaders, business figures, and influential members of the Indian diaspora, highlighting the strong cultural and trade ties between the United Kingdom and India.
Sunak expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming events in India, including the G20 Summit in New Delhi. He eagerly anticipated being there, not only to experience the cultural delights but also to witness the highly anticipated cricket World Cup match between England and India. Sunak humorously mentioned how the English team had triumphed over a specially chosen British-India bowling attack after warming up against the Australians. However, he expressed regret at not being able to attend the match in person.
Given his Indian heritage, Sunak understands the significance of the relationship between the UK and India, which has faced some challenges due to recent controversies. These controversies included the release of a controversial BBC documentary on Narendra Modi, an attack on the Indian foreign office in London, and tax raids on BBC offices in India. These events may have caused a delay in the trade pact negotiations between the two countries. Hence, the UK-India Week provided Sunak with an important platform to emphasize his heritage and the strong bond shared between the UK and India.
The reception witnessed the presence of notable personalities such as Shankar Mahadevan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Vivek Oberoi, who added to the cultural significance of the event.
In his speech, Sunak celebrated the close ties between the UK and India, emphasizing the “living bridge” that connects the two nations and the thriving business links. He expressed his desire to further strengthen these ties, citing the immense potential recognized by both Prime Minister Modi and himself. Sunak acknowledged the progress being made together and referred to the roadmap for 2023, highlighting the shared vision for the future.
Closing his address, Sunak emphasized his Indian heritage as a Prime Minister of Indian origin in Downing Street. He called on everyone to aim higher and break boundaries in building a stronger partnership between the UK and India.
Sunak and Prime Minister Modi have previously met on several occasions during international events, including the recent G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. They have also had discussions over the phone to review progress on bilateral issues, particularly in trade and the economy. During these conversations, Prime Minister Modi expressed concerns about the safety of Indian diplomatic establishments in the UK and stressed the need for robust measures to counteract anti-India elements. The issue of economic offenders seeking refuge in the UK and the progress on their extradition was also addressed. Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to Sunak to attend the G20 Summit in Delhi in September, further reflecting the ongoing dialogue and collaboration between the two nations.
