Rishi Sunak becomes Britain’s first non-white Prime Minister
- Category
International Relations
- Published
28th Oct, 2022
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Context
Recently, Rishi Sunak was elected as Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister, scripting an impressive political comeback in British politics. This has shown the diversity in Modern day Britain and is expected to strengthen India-UK relations.
About
- Rishi Sunak, 42 was elected Conservative Party leader and the youngest British Prime Minister in 210 years.
- He is also the First Non-white person elected as the Prime Minister of Britain of Hindu origin.
- He was born on 12 May 1980 and is a British politician who has served as the Leader of the Conservative Party.
- Sunak served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022 and Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 2019 to 2020.
- He has also been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond (Yorks) since 2015.
Significance of Indian Diaspora:
- According to the Global Migration Report 2020, India continues to be the largest country of origin of international migrants with a 5 million-strong diaspora across the world.
- It contributes by way of remittances, investment, lobbying for India, promoting Indian culture abroad, and building a good image of India through its intelligence and industry.
- Many people of Indian origin hold top political positions in many countries, in the USA itself; they are now a significant part of Republicans and Democrats, as well as the government.
- India's diaspora played an important role in the India-U.S. nuclear deal.
- Indian diaspora is not just a part of India’s soft power, but a fully transferable political vote bank as well.
Cultural Influence:
- There has been a gradual mainstreaming of Indian culture and absorption of Indian cuisine, cinema, languages, religion, philosophy, performing arts, etc.
- The Nehru Centre is the cultural wing of the High Commission of India in the UK which was established in 1992.
- 2017 was celebrated as the India-UK year of Culture to mark the 70th anniversary of Indian independence.
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