Recently, Rishi Sunak took charge as the 57th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He is the country’s third PM in 50 days after first Boris Johnson and then Liz Truss was forced from office by a rebellion within the ruling Conservative Party.
In this article, Team YLCC explores Rishi’s electoral victory and what it means for India. Read on!
SUNAK’S ELECTION- Some Highlights
- 75 years after India’s independence, today at the helm of the country that colonized India is a man of Indian descent.
- The Bhagavad Gita served as the text upon which Rishi Sunak, a representative for Yorkshire in the Parliament, took his oath of office on October 25th, 2022.
- After winning the campaign to head the Conservative Party, Sunak became the first person of color to serve as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- The declaration that the future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is of Indian heritage prompted joy among Indians. Some hailed it as a triumph for India, while others were skeptical of the implications.
THE GOOD:
- Achieving this level of success as the first person of color to hold the position of Prime Minister has done more than just open doors. Clearly, this is a time of celebration for a segment of the 1.6 million strong Indian community in the UK, and it will likely encourage young second- and third-generation members to get more involved in political life. It also marks a moment of redemption for the Conservative Party, which has been branded as “pale, male, and stale,” and has been the favored home for racists.
- Rishi Sunak’s election as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is anticipated to provide much-needed impetus to continuing discussions for the planned Free Trade Agreement between India and Britain.
- In point of fact, on November 4, 2022, the British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, said that India and the United Kingdom are prepared for the “final ascent” on signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and that accelerating the accord within the next few months is one of the primary goals of both countries.
- Sunak has also made some stern statements about China being a geopolitical and economic danger, which might serve as a foundation for a shift in focus to India.
- The ambitious “Roadmap 2030,” released in May 2021, contains a promise to establish the whole Migration and Mobility Partnership, including student and professional mobility.
THE BAD:
- While there is widespread support for Sunak among members of the Indian diaspora, a variety of institutional impediments stand in the way of deeper ties between India and the United Kingdom.
- It is also critical to note that India is not Sunak’s main priority. Britain’s economy is in shambles, and the country’s next prime minister will have a tough time balancing the government’s $43 billion budget deficit with calls for more social spending and the need to spur economic recovery.
- Given his links to the former British colony, Indian-origin academics in the UK claim that Mr. Sunak has kept his private life private and would avoid any overt bias towards India.
CHALLENGES:
- Sunak’s nomination may gratify the Indian diaspora, but it’s unclear whether it will improve relations with India due to Narendra Modi’s national security concerns. Our government prioritizes security, hence the UK must act against extreme Khalistani forces who are openly collecting donations in British gurudwaras and radicalizing Sikh youngsters against India. The recent conflagration between members of different religious communities in Leicester has added to these complications.
- Despite the fact that there are clear extradition cases in India, fugitives like Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, and numerous others have traditionally sought asylum in the British system. The extradition of Indian economic criminals who are now finding asylum in Britain and utilizing the legal system to their advantage is one of the primary focuses of bilateral relations at this time.
If the UK government does not take the appropriate actions and send the white-collar criminals back, this will continue to be a major point of contention between the two countries, since the Modi government wants to bring economic criminals to justice.
LESSONS:
Proclivity of Inclusivity
Indeed, we have cause for joy whenever someone of our origin is given such a prominent position. However, what exactly are we celebrating? The fact that he is of Indian descent or the fact that he is a member of a minority group in the United Kingdom who has been given the chance to govern. Is there even a sliver of hope that anything like this may happen in our nation?
And although it’s true that Rishi Sunak is an Indian “by origin,” we’re missing the forest for the trees by focusing so intently on that aspect of his background. Instead, we need to be applauding the United Kingdom for its inclusive culture, which allows members of underrepresented groups to assume positions of authority in the government.
The idea of inclusivity does not depend on a person’s race or whether they are white, brown, or black. To be truly welcoming of all people, it is necessary to not only offer those who seek them opportunities but also to foster an environment in which they may freely use their rights without fear of reprisal. Yet, it is equally important to guarantee the equal respect of everyone’s rights.
Achievement over Ancestry
Global economies and ecosystems are increasingly looking to leaders with extensive expertise, strong character, and a track record of success, regardless of their nationality.
India’s media pundits have failed to recognize the role of British society and the open character of the democratic process that recognizes excellence and promotes worthy talent.
It is, without a doubt, an occasion that fills Indians with immense pride; but, let us not forget to give Sunak some credit for the qualities and capabilities that he brings to the table. To be elected to a position, a person’s race or background should be the very last consideration.
CONCLUSION
The reality that Britain is now experiencing a crisis is one that cannot be ignored. The effects of COVID-19 on the economy were exacerbated by the energy crisis and supply chain disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, the UK’s painful separation from the EU as a result of Brexit has compounded these preexisting difficulties.
These are trying times and it has been left to Sunak to steer an intensely divided country through an economic catastrophe that is anticipated to cause millions of people to fall into poverty.
Many Indians are pleased by Rishi Sunak’s election, but it remains to be seen whether the country will be a top concern for him. In the grand scheme of things, whether one is Buddhist or Hindu makes no difference at all to the achievement of national interests and strategic objectives. Ultimately, in every circumstance, realpolitik must and will take precedence over religion.
YLCC would like to thank Pearl Narang for her valuable insights in this article.
