The British Prime Minister arrived on Friday for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Commenting on his participation in the event, he jokes that it is “obviously special”, since he is called the “son-in-law of India”, India Today reports.
He is the first British Prime Minister of Indian descent. Speaking to journalists traveling with him, Sunak said: “It’s obviously special. I saw somewhere that I was referred to as India’s son-in-law, which I hope was meant affectionately.”
Speaking to reporters during his flight to New Delhi, the 43-year-old British leader said he was very happy to return to India, to “a country that is very near and dear” to him. He was joined on the visit by his wife, daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy. On the sidelines of the summit he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
I’m heading to the G20 Summit with a clear focus. Stabilising the global economy. Building international relationships. Supporting the most vulnerable.
The UK notes the Russian-Ukrainian conflict as a key topic on the agenda. The government says India’s role and influence in this matter is “vital.”
“Once again, Vladimir Putin is failing to show his face at the G20. He is the architect of his own diplomatic exile, isolating himself in his presidential palace and blocking out criticism and reality. The rest of the G20, meanwhile, are demonstrating that we will turn up and work together to pick up the pieces of Putin’s destruction.”
A spokesman for the British Prime Minister stated the UK would take “every opportunity” to demonstrate its support for Ukraine.
During the bilateral talks with the Indian Minister, Sunak plans to raise the issue of a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK. 12 rounds of FTA negotiations have passed, but the deadlines for their completion remain unspecified.
In addition, Downing Street indicated that changes in UK immigration policy should not be expected, although short-term business visas will be discussed as part of trade negotiations.
According to official UK government statistics, bilateral trade relations between India and the UK were worth around £36 billion in 2022. This amount is expected to grow in the future thanks to the “deep and forward-looking” FTA.
“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.”
That’s what Rishi Sunak put it during UK-India Week in London, saying he “can’t wait” to meet his Indian counterpart again.
Modi and Sunak last met in May at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
