Rishi Sunak will do his best for Britain when he takes over as prime minister on Tuesday, said his father-in-law, Indian billionaire NR Narayan Murthy, founder of software giant Infosys.
The 42-year-old, a practicing Hindu with roots in both Pakistan and India, will be Britain’s first colored prime minister and its youngest leader in modern times.
The rise of the sunk on the occasion of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, has delighted Indians, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he hopes relations between the two countries will improve further.
“Congratulations to Rishi,” Murthy, who is valued by Forbes at $4.5 billion, said in a statement. “We are proud of him and wish him every success. We are sure he will do his best for the people of Great Britain.”
Many Indian politicians also hailed Sunak’s elevation as a “historic and remarkable achievement” and it trended on Twitter in India late on Monday.
Congratulations Mr @RishiSunak on your historic & remarkable feat to become UK’s Prime Minister.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 25, 2022
Your youth, vibrance and vision will surely take United Kingdom to greater heights globally. We also look forward to stronger India-UK relations.
Our heartiest congratulations. pic.twitter.com/5HPRzaY9d4
BJP spokesperson Preeti Gandhi asked rhetorically: “Who would have thought that the tables would turn in just 75 years!”
So its confirmed. On Diwali day, @RishiSunak to make history as Britain's first Indian origin, Hindu Prime Minister. Who would have imagined the tables would turn in just 75 years!! pic.twitter.com/5U4e25UgL2
— Priti Gandhi – प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) October 24, 2022
Sunak’s wife Akshita Murthy, an Indian citizen, is worth about $721 million with a 0.93% stake in Infosys, and the couple’s wealth has been a divisive issue for the British public.
The revelations that she was not paying British tax on her foreign income through her “non-resident” status – which is available to foreign nationals who do not consider the UK their permanent home – led Sunak to the top job. Lee was hurt before his opening race.
His wife later said she would start paying British tax on her worldwide income.
