Rishi Sunak, the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, has landed in Delhi to attend a gathering of world leaders, marking a historic occasion as the first prime minister of Indian heritage to visit
the country. Downing Street has characterized this visit as a "historic" event, highlighting its significance in reinforcing the strong connection between the UK and India.
Mr. Sunak is accompanied by his wife, Akshata Murty, who was born and raised in India and is the daughter of one of India's wealthiest individuals. This visit coincides with the summit of G20 leaders, consisting of the 19 largest global economies along with the European Union.
The G20 is known for its diverse membership, with member countries often having little in common except for their significant economic influence. Nevertheless, the G20 serves as a platform for the world's economic powerhouses to collaborate on global economic issues.
The G20 originated in the late 20th century, with its inception in 1999 and an elevation in prominence following the 2008 financial crisis. Consequently, the discussions within the G20 encompass a wide range of topics. However, the summit also provides leaders with the opportunity for one-on-one meetings, known as "bilaterals."
While en route to the summit, Mr. Sunak expressed his excitement about returning to India, a nation that holds a special place in his heart. He humorously remarked on being referred to as "India's son-in-law," presumably meant as an affectionate term.
Notably, some prominent world leaders are absent from the summit's guest list, including Russia's President Vladimir Putin for the second consecutive year. Mr. Sunak commented on Putin's absence, suggesting that the Russian president is isolating himself and blocking out criticism.
Additionally, President Xi of China is not attending, raising questions about the extent of some G20 members' commitment to addressing issues such as the Ukraine conflict. India, as the host, continues to purchase a substantial amount of oil from Russia.
During the summit, Prime Minister Sunak is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where discussions are expected to include a potential UK-India free trade agreement. There is growing optimism that an agreement can be reached in the near future, with India's Finance Minister expressing hope for completion by the end of the year.
The issue of visa flexibility, long considered a potential stumbling block in negotiations, is expected to be addressed. Downing Street emphasized that the trade deal primarily focuses on trade and business, with immigration being a separate issue.
While the political and diplomatic aspects of the trip are important, the initial focus of this visit is symbolic and deeply rooted in history—a British prime minister of Indian heritage visiting a former British colony as India takes center stage in hosting a significant portion of the world economy at the G20 summit. Photo by G20 India, Wikimedia commons.