News Analysis India

Tag: Rishi Sunak

  • Congress rebuffs remarks of Chidambaram, Tharoor on Sunak elevation 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Tuesday said India does not need to draw lessons from any other country as many minorities have become the president and chief minister in the past, a remark seen as a rebuff to party leaders P Chidambaram and Shashi Tharoor who hoped India will follow Rishi Sunak’s example of electing a person from minorities to the top post.

    AICC general secretary of communications Jairam Ramesh said respecting diversity has been India’s hallmark for many years and cited the examples of Zakir Hussain, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and A P J Abdul Kalam who held the top constitutional position in the country for many years.

    After Indian-origin Sunak was picked as the United Kingdom’s next prime minister, Chidambaram and Tharoor had said that “India should draw lessons from the UK” and hoped one day this practice would be adopted in the country.

    “In our country, Dr Zakir Hussain first became the President in 1967, then Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed became the President and Dr Abdul Kalam and if I keep giving you examples, Barkatullah Khan became chief minister and A R Antulay also became the chief minister,” Ramesh told reporters.

    Asked about the Congress leaders’ remarks, he added, “You should ask them. I am only talking about Bharat Jodo Yatra and I would not speak about what other leaders have said. You should ask them on what they have said, I will not speak on any other leader’s remarks.”

    “The Congress is a democratic party,” the Congress leader said, adding the Bharat Jodo Yatra is “blowing the trumpet of democracy” while the Bharatiya Janata Party is “blowing the guns of autocracy.”

    “Those who get a mandate will become prime minister. Democratically, if someone is elected, we don’t have a problem. England’s party has made him the prime minister, we welcome it,” said Ramesh.READ | Rishi Sunak’s rise to PM is ‘Obama moment for British Hindus’, says UK Hindu temple leader 

    He said India has set an example across the world on celebrating diversity and respecting them.

    “But, in the last eight years what we have seen, I don’t think we need to draw lessons from somewhere else. Our society is united in diversity and we have seen for many years that we respect diversity and give them equal rights and we don’t need to seek lessons from any other country. Our society will be strengthened through diversity,” he noted.

    The Congress general secretary said if we suppress diversity and try to bring uniformity, we will not be able to strengthen our society. “Our strength is unity in diversity. I will go a step further, as we will remain united through diversity. Bharat Jodo Yatra’s purpose is this only, to unite the diversity of different languages, castes and religions.”

    Ramesh said in Karnataka they met some people a few days ago who speak a language which does not have a script. “We need to strengthen them as they are also Indian citizens.”

    Asked specifically about his mention of the last years of Modi’s rule, he said, that is because there is a huge difference between the thoughts of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.

    “Vajpayee was a product of the Nehru era and he was very impressed by Jawaharlal Nehru and that is the truth. But, Narendra Modi is busy only with one thing – how to erase the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru and how to finish Teen Murti. Now there will be Teen Murti in 10, Downing Street also,” Ramesh said.

    Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Shashi Tharoor welcomed the election of Sunak and hoped one day this practice is adopted in the country.

    First Kamala Harris, now Rishi SunakThe 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 governmentI think there is a lesson to learned by India and the parties that practise majoritarianism
    — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 24, 2022

    If this does happen, I think all of us will have to acknowledge that theBrits have done something very rare in the world,to place a member of a visible minority in the most powerful office. As we Indians celebrate the ascent of @RishiSunak, let’s honestly ask: can it happen here? https://t.co/UrDg1Nngfv
    — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 24, 2022
    Sunak will make history as Britain’s first Indian-origin Prime Minister after being elected unopposed as the new leader of the governing Conservative Party on Diwali as Penny Mordaunt withdrew from the race.

    This means the 42-year-old former chancellor, a devout Hindu, is poised to walk through the door of 10 Downing Street in London after an audience with King Charles III in Buckingham Palace. Besides being the first Hindu Prime Minister of Indian heritage, Sunak is also the youngest in around 200 years at 42 years.

    READ | ‘We are proud of him,’ says Narayana Murthy on son-in-law becoming UK PM

    NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Tuesday said India does not need to draw lessons from any other country as many minorities have become the president and chief minister in the past, a remark seen as a rebuff to party leaders P Chidambaram and Shashi Tharoor who hoped India will follow Rishi Sunak’s example of electing a person from minorities to the top post.

    AICC general secretary of communications Jairam Ramesh said respecting diversity has been India’s hallmark for many years and cited the examples of Zakir Hussain, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and A P J Abdul Kalam who held the top constitutional position in the country for many years.

    After Indian-origin Sunak was picked as the United Kingdom’s next prime minister, Chidambaram and Tharoor had said that “India should draw lessons from the UK” and hoped one day this practice would be adopted in the country.

    “In our country, Dr Zakir Hussain first became the President in 1967, then Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed became the President and Dr Abdul Kalam and if I keep giving you examples, Barkatullah Khan became chief minister and A R Antulay also became the chief minister,” Ramesh told reporters.

    Asked about the Congress leaders’ remarks, he added, “You should ask them. I am only talking about Bharat Jodo Yatra and I would not speak about what other leaders have said. You should ask them on what they have said, I will not speak on any other leader’s remarks.”

    “The Congress is a democratic party,” the Congress leader said, adding the Bharat Jodo Yatra is “blowing the trumpet of democracy” while the Bharatiya Janata Party is “blowing the guns of autocracy.”

    “Those who get a mandate will become prime minister. Democratically, if someone is elected, we don’t have a problem. England’s party has made him the prime minister, we welcome it,” said Ramesh.READ | Rishi Sunak’s rise to PM is ‘Obama moment for British Hindus’, says UK Hindu temple leader 

    He said India has set an example across the world on celebrating diversity and respecting them.

    “But, in the last eight years what we have seen, I don’t think we need to draw lessons from somewhere else. Our society is united in diversity and we have seen for many years that we respect diversity and give them equal rights and we don’t need to seek lessons from any other country. Our society will be strengthened through diversity,” he noted.

    The Congress general secretary said if we suppress diversity and try to bring uniformity, we will not be able to strengthen our society. “Our strength is unity in diversity. I will go a step further, as we will remain united through diversity. Bharat Jodo Yatra’s purpose is this only, to unite the diversity of different languages, castes and religions.”

    Ramesh said in Karnataka they met some people a few days ago who speak a language which does not have a script. “We need to strengthen them as they are also Indian citizens.”

    Asked specifically about his mention of the last years of Modi’s rule, he said, that is because there is a huge difference between the thoughts of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.

    “Vajpayee was a product of the Nehru era and he was very impressed by Jawaharlal Nehru and that is the truth. But, Narendra Modi is busy only with one thing – how to erase the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru and how to finish Teen Murti. Now there will be Teen Murti in 10, Downing Street also,” Ramesh said.

    Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Shashi Tharoor welcomed the election of Sunak and hoped one day this practice is adopted in the country.

    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 learned by India and the parties that practise majoritarianism
    — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 24, 2022

    If this does happen, I think all of us will have to acknowledge that theBrits have done something very rare in the world,to place a member of a visible minority in the most powerful office. As we Indians celebrate the ascent of @RishiSunak, let’s honestly ask: can it happen here? https://t.co/UrDg1Nngfv
    — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 24, 2022
    Sunak will make history as Britain’s first Indian-origin Prime Minister after being elected unopposed as the new leader of the governing Conservative Party on Diwali as Penny Mordaunt withdrew from the race.

    This means the 42-year-old former chancellor, a devout Hindu, is poised to walk through the door of 10 Downing Street in London after an audience with King Charles III in Buckingham Palace. Besides being the first Hindu Prime Minister of Indian heritage, Sunak is also the youngest in around 200 years at 42 years.

    READ | ‘We are proud of him,’ says Narayana Murthy on son-in-law becoming UK PM

  • Look forward to working closely together on global issues: PM Modi on Sunak’s elevation

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated British Prime Minister-elect Rishi Sunak and said he looked forward to working closely together on global issues and implementing the Roadmap 2030 for bilateral relations.

    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.”

    The Roadmap 2030 for India-UK future relations was launched last year.

    Sunak will make history as Britain’s first Indian-origin prime minister after being elected unopposed as the new leader of the governing Conservative Party on Diwali as Penny Mordaunt withdrew from the race.

    This means the 42-year-old former chancellor, a devout Hindu, is poised to walk through the door of 10 Downing Street in London after an audience with King Charles III in Buckingham Palace, which is likely to be on Tuesday.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated British Prime Minister-elect Rishi Sunak and said he looked forward to working closely together on global issues and implementing the Roadmap 2030 for bilateral relations.

    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.”

    The Roadmap 2030 for India-UK future relations was launched last year.

    Sunak will make history as Britain’s first Indian-origin prime minister after being elected unopposed as the new leader of the governing Conservative Party on Diwali as Penny Mordaunt withdrew from the race.

    This means the 42-year-old former chancellor, a devout Hindu, is poised to walk through the door of 10 Downing Street in London after an audience with King Charles III in Buckingham Palace, which is likely to be on Tuesday.

  • Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement laid down roadmap for British PM Boris Johnson’s India visit

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Close on the heels of rendering an unconditional apology for ‘partygate’, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson embarks on his India visit from Thursday.

    “My visit to India will deliver on the things that really matter to the people of both our nations – from job creation and economic growth to energy security and defence,” Johnson said recently.

    The focus of his visit is going to be trade, defence and security. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, in his Spring Statement, laid out a series of measures relevant for Indian companies keeping in mind PM Johnson’s India visit – which would give an impetus to expand trade and investment between India and the UK.

    Indian companies secured 40 per cent of all work visas issued by the UK last year (almost as much as the rest of the world combined) and employ over 100,000 people in the UK. “This is significant for the two countries,” Sunak said in his statement.

    Tax relief has been extended to British companies to cover R&D conducted overseas – which could further enhance the R&D-driven investments by UK businesses in India, including the co-creation of new technology with Indian partners.

    At present R&D expenditure in India is around health, defence, agriculture, industrial production and technology, space, transport and energy. All these sectors are of interest to the UK.

    The UK-India FTA negotiations will be advanced with PM Johnson’s visit. Announcements are likely to be made in technology transfer in defence (specially maritime sector) and security.

    Meanwhile, PM Johnson begins his India trip by landing in Ahmedabad on Thursday. He is expected to inaugurate the sixth plant of JCB in Vadodara. JCB happens to be a supporter of the Conservative Party and its chairman, Lord Bamford, came for the laying of the foundation stone of the plant in 2019. The investment for this plant was Rs 650 crore.

    Johnson is also likely to meet with industrialist Gautam Adani and visit the Sabarmati Ashram.

    In Delhi, he will meet with Prime Minister Modi and they are likely to make an announcement around bilateral trade and partnerships.

    Ukraine will figure amongst their talks. “As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and friends stick together,” Johnson said, indicating that he would expect India to take a firmer stand against Russia.

    Trade between India and the UK is worth an estimated £23bn each year. The two countries last year agreed on a UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which the UK government said would bring more than £533mn of investment into thecountry from India and would result in the creation of more than 6,500 jobs.

  • India, UK sign up to new climate finance initiative

    By PTI

    LONDON: The Indian and UK governments on Thursday agreed a new tie-up to finance inclusive, resilient and sustainable infrastructure in India by harnessing public and private capital to meet the country’s low-carbon goals.

    Climate Finance Leadership Initiative (CFLI) India initiative, which is backed by the City of London Corporation and led by Bloomberg’s CFLI, was announced at the 11th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) held via video conference between finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her British counterpart Rishi Sunak.

    “Supporting India’s green growth is a shared priority so I’m pleased that we’ve announced a USD 1.2 billion investment package, and launched the new CFLI India partnership, to boost investment in sustainable projects in India as the UK gears up to host COP26,” said Sunak.

    “We expect that the platform would be able to mobilise private capital, at scale, into climate and environment sectors, particularly green and resilient infrastructure,” noted Sitharaman.

    The aim of the CFLI India project is to drive capital into India through public, private, and multilateral initiatives to help the country meet its 2015 Paris Agreement commitments, which include a pledge to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35 per cent by 2030.

    “The Climate Finance Leadership Initiative is working to eliminate barriers to investment and create market conditions to drive more capital to green projects – and this collaboration between India and the UK, two of the world’s largest and most dynamic economies, can create a model for countries around the world to learn from,” said CFLI Chair Michael R Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions.

    The City of London Corporation, the governing body of the financial hub of the UK capital known as the Square Mile, said it will support the initiative by providing a secretariat from London and the organisation’s long-standing representative office in Mumbai.

    “CFLI India is a genuinely new approach to mobilising capital at the scale and pace demanded by the global transition to net zero,” said William Russell, the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

    “In order to raise the trillion of dollars of investment needed, we must connect London’s innovation and talent together with India’s dynamism and industry. Together we can cut emissions and fight back against climate change,” he said.

    City of London Corporation Policy Chair Catherine McGuinness said London, as a leading international financial centre and global hub for green finance, is well placed to support this as a world leader in green finance, innovation and capital raising through CFLI India.

    “India has already taken bold steps to decarbonise its economy, but billions of financing is still needed to help the country meet its climate commitments,” she said.

    The announcement of CFLI India comes in advance of November’s UN Climate Change Conference – better known as COP26 – in Glasgow, where the City of London Corporation and Green Finance Institute are holding a hybrid summit on green finance.

    “It is critical that as we move towards a more sustainable future that financial markets like London partner with leading countries like India to develop projects that address climate change,” said Shravan Joshi MBE, City Corporation representative at CFLI.

    CFLI India will be co-chaired by Shemara Wikramanayake, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group, and Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, and comprises major private sector Indian and multinational corporates and financial institutions.