Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians: PM Modi congratulates Rishi Sunak

With Rishi Sunak set to take over as the next prime minister of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said he looks forward to working together with him to transform the India-UK ties into a modern partnership.

In a congratulatory message on Twitter, Modi also offered his “special Diwali wishes” to the “living bridge of UK Indians”. A conservative MP, who has also served as the treasurer to the exchequer, Sunak will be the first UK PM of Indian-origin.

“Warmest congratulations RishiSunak! As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030. Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership,” Modi tweeted.

""Warmest congratulations @RishiSunak! As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030. Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2022""

Adopted in 2021, when Boris Johnson was the UK PM, Roadmap 2030 is a framework aimed at strengthening UK-India relations across many sectors including climate, trade, defence, health, science and technology and education.

Sunak, who will also be the first Hindu to hold the post, won the conservative leadership race after Penny Mordaunt withdrew from it. The first Hindu to hold the post, Sunak will replace Liz Truss, who quit last week after a stint which lasted less than two months, deepening a major political and economic turmoil.

Meanwhile, the development also drew reactions from the Opposition parties. Former Union Minister and veteran Congress leader P Chidambaram tweeted, ”
“First Kamala Harris, now Rishi Sunak The people of the U.S. and the U.K have embraced the non-majority citizens of their countries and elected them to high office in government. I think there is a lesson to be learned by India and the parties that practise majoritarianism.”

Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal also tweeted, “Indians setting their mark all over the globe. My best wishes to Mr RishiSunak on becoming the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Wishing him wisdom and strength to lead the country successfully.”