Tharoor: ‘Brits have done something very rare in world’

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated incoming British premier Rishi Sunak on Monday on winning the contest to become the leader of Britain’s Conservatives.

Sunak, 42, is the first British Asian to become prime minister.

He is married to an Indian, Akshata Murty, the daughter of the co-founder of IT giant Infosys.

“Warmest congratulations @RishiSunak ! As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030,” Modi tweeted, referring to a plan for deepening ties in trade and other areas.

He added: “Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership.”

Diwali is the Hindu festival being celebrated on Monday. The “living bridge” refers to ties between Indians in India and people of Indian origin in other countries.

Sunak was born in Southampton, England.

His parents were born in east Africa and his grandfathers were from pre-independence Punjab in northern British India.

Shashi Tharoor, an opposition Indian lawmaker and a fierce critic of British colonialism, tweeted that Sunak winning would be a welcome achievement.

“I think all of us will have to acknowledge that the Brits have done something very rare in the world, to place a member of a visible minority in the most powerful office,” he said.