Daijiworld Media Network – London (MS)
London, Jul 25: Three Indians have secured positions in the new British government, led by Boris Johnson, who took oath as Prime Minister on Tuesday. After the nomination of Preeti Patel as a minister in the new government, Rishi Sunak, son-in-law of Infosys founder Narayan Murthy and another Indian Alok Sharma have got ministerial positions in the Boris Johnson government.
Boris, who became Prime Minister after Theresa May resigned from the position, had met Queen Elizabeth II. During the meeting, Boris had promised to form his cabinet of ministers soon. In addition, he had promised to give positions to three Indians. Accordingly, he has nominated the three people.
Preeti Patel of Indian origin was nominated as the home secretary on Wednesday. Rishi Sunak (39) was named as the chief secretary of the treasury. He was elected as the Member of Parliament in 2015 from Richmond constituency (Yorkers). Rishi, who is an entrepreneur, has secured degrees from Oxford and Stanford universities. He has served as a junior minister in the local government.
Alok Sharma, who has his roots in Agra, is a MP, who got elected in 2010 for the first time from Reading West. He had served as an employment minister in the government of Theresa May. He is also one of the people who supported Boris Johnson to become the Prime Minister.
This is the first time that three people of Indian origin have become the ministers in the cabinet of the Prime Minister of Britain. There are 1.5 million Indians living in Britain and the nomination of these three has lent more voice and support to the Indian community.
Speaking after becoming the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson had also said that he is also an Indian son-in-law, which will help him to better the relations of Britain with India. Boris and his wife Marina Wheeler are divorced. Marina's mother is an Indian. For the same reason, Boris had said that he is the son-in-law of India.