Rishi Sunak marks 100 days as UK's first British Indian PM
Rishi Sunak marked his 100th day in office as Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister on February 2 with a promise to deliver.
The 42-year-old took charge at 10 Downing Street a day after Diwali last year on October 25 in the wake of political turmoil following the exit of predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
Since then, he has laid out his top priorities and has set out a particular focus on cutting soaring inflation to tackle the crippling cost of living crisis in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He has also committed to strengthening the UK-India bilateral relationship and negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA).
Delivering his first major foreign policy speech since taking charge at the Lord Mayor of London’s Banquet last year, the British Indian leader also reflected upon his own heritage as he spoke passionately about defending British values of “freedom and openness” around the world.
Sunak said: “I was born in Southampton, a port city the Victorians called the gateway to the world, where the Mayflower set sail, where Spitfires were built and allied troops embarked on D-Day.
“And just as we look out to the world, so the world often looks to Britain. Like many others, my grandparents came to the UK, via East Africa and the Indian subcontinent and made their lives here.”
On the growing significance of the Indo-Pacific region and UK-India ties, he told the gathering of business chiefs and dignitaries gathered at the historic Guildhall in London that he knows too well the power of investments.
“By 2050, the Indo-Pacific will deliver over half of global growth compared with just a quarter from Europe and North America combined. That’s why we’re joining the Trans-Pacific trade deal, the CPTPP, delivering a new FTA with India and pursuing one with Indonesia,” he said.