Joe Biden: Rishi Sunak’s rise to become UK's new prime minister is ‘groundbreaking milestone’
US President Joe Biden is amongst the world leaders to congratulate Rishi Sunak on his imminent appointment as prime minister.
Speaking yesterday in Washington as he marked Diwali, the US President said it is a "groundbreaking milestone" that Mr Sunak will become the UK’s next prime minister.
Mr Biden said “it matters” that for the first time a person of colour, who is also the child of Indian immigrants, could rise to the highest political office in the country.
He said it's "pretty astounding" and added: "[It's a] groundbreaking milestone. And it matters, it matters.”
Joe Biden mispronounced Rishi Sunak's name as he congratulated him on becoming prime minister
However, there was one moment of embarrassment for the US President as, during his congratulatory message, he mispronounced the prime minister's name.
"As my brother would say, 'go figure'," he added.
Diwali is a five-day “Festival of Lights” and a celebration by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains of the triumph of good over evil.
Mr Sunak’s grandparents were from Punjab state before the Indian subcontinent was divided into two countries, India and Pakistan, in 1947 after British colonial rule ended. His family settled in the UK in the 1960s and he was born in Southampton in 1980.
His rise to power has prompted a sense of pride among Indians, with that country’s leader Narendra Modi earlier offering him “special” Diwali wishes as the “living bridge” of UK Indians.
Prime Minister Modi tweeted: “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.”
Mr Sunak won the Tory leadership contest without a vote being cast after rivals Penny Mordaunt and Boris Johnson dropped out, and will replace Liz Truss in No 10 on Tuesday.
Indian media were impressed by his victory, with New Delhi Television announcing “Indian son rises over the empire” and India Today news channel taking a jibe at the UK’s economic and political turbulence, using the Hindi term for someone of Indian background: “Battered Britain gets ‘desi’ big boss.”
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Labour Party Deputy Leader Angela Rayner however called for a general election following Mr Sunak's appointment.
"This is an almighty mess and it's people the length and breadth of the UK who are paying the price of this," said Ms Sturgeon.
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Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has described his nation’s partnership with the UK as “one of the strongest relationships between any two countries in the world” as he congratulated Rishi Sunak on becoming Prime Minister.
“Canada’s partnership with the United Kingdom, one of the strongest relationships between any two countries in the world, is defined by our rich shared history, our close friendship, and an unwavering commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rules-based international order,” Mr Trudeau said in a statement.
“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Sunak to strengthen this relationship as we continue to address ongoing global concerns, including Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, economic uncertainty, and climate change.
“I also look forward to collaborating with Prime Minister Sunak to bolster our important economic relationship as we negotiate a comprehensive, ambitious, and inclusive Canada-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement, as well the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
“Together, we will remain focused on creating good middle-class jobs and opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, while driving economic growth that benefits everyone.
“I wish prime minister Elizabeth Truss all the best in her future endeavours.”