News Analysis India

Tag: Rishi Sunak

  • PM Narendra Modi Holds Bilateral Meeting With UK PM Rishi Sunak On Sidelines Of G7 Summit |

    APULIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with PM Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom on the sidelines of the G7 Summit here on Friday. The two world leaders were seen sharing a hug as they met. PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron of France.

    Apart from exchanging views on key global and regional issues, PM Modi and President Macron held discussions on a series of issues including strengthening partnership between the two nations. PM Modi is in Italy’s Apulia to participate in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit. After landing here, PM Modi said he was looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders.

    It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade.… pic.twitter.com/ehjhFY89cE — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024

    He also said that they aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future. PM Modi and UK PM Sunak last met on September 9, 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. That was Prime Minister Sunak’s first visit to India since becoming Prime Minister in October 2022.

    Notably, India is participating in the summit as an Outreach country. The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.

    As PM Modi touched down at Brindisi Airport in Apulia on late Thursday night (local time), he was received by India’s Ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao, and other officials. This marks PM Modi’s first trip abroad after assuming office for the third consecutive term.

    MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal detailed the Prime Minister’s engagements with the world leaders on June 14. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi, in his departure statement, said that he is glad that his first state visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit . He recalled his previous visit to Italy and Prime Minister Meloni’s visits to India which have contributed significantly to enhancing bilateral ties.

    It will be India’s 11th participation and PM Modi’s fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. PM Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart Meloni.

  • G7 Summit: Awkward Greeting Moment Between British PM Sunak and Italy’s Meloni Goes Viral; Watch |

    The G7 Summit is underway in Italy and the top world leaders have already reached the country. Italian PM Gioria Meloni today greeted all the G7 members on the inaugural day of the summit, video of which was shared online. The two-day G7 Summit is attended by several world leaders, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Upon his arrival, Sunak was warmly welcomed by Meloni, with their greetings captured in viral photos and videos.

    The video clip shows Sunak approaching Meloni, who greets him with a hug and a kiss. They share a light-hearted moment, laughing and chatting before posing for a photograph and continuing their conversation.

    #WATCH | Borgo Egnazia: Italian PM Giorgia Meloni receives United Kingdom PM Rishi Sunak, as he arrives for the 50th G7 Summit.

    (Video Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/fpGFlnDZ2r — ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2024

    However, the interaction sparked reactions online, with some noting an awkward moment during the hug and kiss. One social media user commented, “Rishi Sunak being greeted by Giorgia Meloni at the G7 looked like he went in for a kiss, but she pulled back. It gave off a ‘eurgh, smelly breath’ vibe.”

    Another remarked, “Rishi Sunak greets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the welcome ceremony on the first day of the 50th G7 summit.”

    A third user simply advised, “Don’t lean in, Rishi!”

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also arrived in Italy’s Apulia to attend the G7 Summit on the invite of Giorgia Meloni. While India is not a member of the G7, it has been invited to the event as an outreach country. This marks PM Modi’s first trip abroad after assuming office for the third consecutive term.

    “PM @narendramodi touches down at Brindisi airport in Apulia, Italy. Agenda includes participation in the Outreach session of the G7 Summit & substantive interactions with the global leaders on the sidelines. An action-packed day awaits!” the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, wrote in a post on X.

  • Rishi Sunak Sets July 4 As Election Date, Seeks Mandate Amid Economic, Political Challenges | world news

    British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday declared the date for a national election, July 4 is selected as the day to decide who will run the government in the UK. This is the first time 44-year-old Sunak will be facing the public as the leader of the largest party in parliament, following his appointment by Conservative MPs in October 2022.

    This vote, the third since the Brexit referendum in 2016, presents an opportunity for Sunak to leverage improved economic data to appeal to voters affected by rising living costs.

    “Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future,” Sunak said in an announcement that took many people who expected a fall election by surprise, reported Associated Press.

    According to a report by AP, support for Sunak’s center-right party has steadily declined due to various crises, including an economic slump, ethics scandals, and frequent changes in leadership over the past two years. Sunak highlighted his achievements as a leader in saving millions of jobs with support payments during the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted that his plans stabilized the economy.

    However, the centre-left Labour Party is the strong favourite in the election. Labour leader Keir Starmer promised that his party would bring stability.

    The elections will be conducted amid the cost of living crisis and significant disagreements on handling migrants and asylum seekers crossing the English Channel from Europe.

    The election date was set on the day official figures showed that UK inflation had sharply dropped to 2.3%, the lowest in almost three years, due to significant decreases in domestic bills.

    This April decline shows the most significant progress on Sunak’s five pledges from January 2023, including his promise to halve inflation, which had exceeded 11% at the end of 2022. Sunak celebrated the new inflation rate as proof that his plan was effective.

  • Infected Blood Scandal: What Is UK’s Biggest Health Blunder That Made PM Rishi Sunak Say Apology? , world news

    The United Kingdom has recently come out of the months-long strike by the healthcare workers. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is already facing several challenges including taking the economy out of crisis and containing inflation. Now, a decades-old case has created a storm in Britain and has even forced Sunak to apologize for the same. The issue is ‘infected blood scandal’ that took place during 1980s. The worst part is that the health authorities tried to cover up the incident which resulted in multiple deaths.

    What Is Infected Blood Scandal?

    An inquiry report in the case has concluded that over 30,000 people received blood infected with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis. The Infected Blood Inquiry concluded that tainted blood was given between 1970s and 1990s to patients who needed blood transfusions for blood disorders such as haemophilia, accidents and surgery among others.

    The report said that around 3,000 people have died so far due to infected blood and more deaths may follow. The incident has been described as the biggest treatment disaster in the United Kingdom.

    Rishi Sunak Reacts

    Reacting to the shocking report, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised to the House of Commons. Sunak termed the findings of the long-awaited report ‘a day of shame for the British state’. “Time and again people in positions of power and trust had the chance to stop the transmission of those infections and failed to do so”, said Sunak.

    On behalf of this and every Government stretching back to the 1970s, I am truly sorry. pic.twitter.com/eFQBPIvdBk — Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 20, 2024

    The Prime Minister also announced compensation measures for the victims. As per reports, the total compensation may cost the UK government over 10 billion pounds ($12 billion).

  • ‘Sunak Ki Sanak’: In Big Anti-India Step, UK To Ban Indian Students’ Stay; Irony: Even His Cabinet Doesn’t Want It | world news

    New Delhi: It has been reported that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering stringent restrictions on the post-study visa scheme, a development that could have a substantial effect on Indian students studying in the UK. Currently, this scheme permits international graduates—many of whom are from India—to stay and work in the UK for a maximum of two years following the completion of their degree. The intended modifications are a part of an attempt to lower skyrocketing legal immigration rates. However, a report by the newspaper “The Observer” claims that there is strong opposition to this move even within Sunak’s own cabinet.

    Since the Graduate Route program’s launch in 2021, Indian students have benefited the most. There has been a revolt within the Cabinet over the possible cancellation of this plan, with multiple ministers being against it.

    Downing Street is reportedly considering “further restricting or even ending” the route, despite the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) assertion that the scheme should be maintained since it was not being abused. Given that 42% of all visa grants between 2021 and 2023 went to Indian students, this choice may have a big effect on them.

    Sunak Faces Revolt Over Graduate Route Visa Own Cabinet

    Leading the opposition in the Cabinet are Foreign Secretary David Cameron, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan. They, along with university and business leaders, have warned that reducing the post-study offer will make the UK less appealing to international students including Indians.

    “University education is one of our most successful exports. Attracting international students boosts local economies, and losing competitiveness jeopardizes support for undergraduate teaching and innovation, according to John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

    “With the MAC finding that the Graduate Visa is achieving the government’s own policy objectives and is not being abused, it’s time to put its future beyond doubt and end this period of damaging speculation,” he stated. Universities UK (UUK), the leading representative body for UK universities, has also urged the government to end the “toxic” uncertainty created by its decision to review the visa route.

    “We hope and expect that the government now listens to the advice they have been given and provides categorical reassurance that the Graduate visa is here to stay,” Vivienne Stern, chief executive of UUK, said. According to MAC Chair Professor Brian Bell, who completed the rapid review of the scheme earlier this week, “our evidence suggests that it’s the Indian students that will be most affected by any restriction on the Graduate Route”.

    Indians Account For 42% Of Overall Visa Grants

    The influential committee that advises the UK government on migration discovered that Indians accounted for 89,200 visas between 2021 and 2023, or 42% of total grants, with the visa cited as the “overwhelming decision point” in their choice of a higher education destination.

    “The uncertainty created by the review has been chaotic. We urge the government to accept the MAC’s findings and keep the Graduate Route as a stable and permanent fixture in the UK’s immigration system,” said Vignesh Karthik of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union ( NISAU UK.

    In a general election year expected in the coming months, the Sunak-led government sees reducing high legal and illegal migration figures as a priority, and with the most recent set of quarterly immigration statistics due next week, further restrictions are on the way.

  • Rajrajeshwar Guruji Blesses UK PM Rishi Sunak With 'Shree Yantra' For Good Health

    The event witnessed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other notable figures getting recognition for their work.