Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday, 13 October praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in deepening bilateral relations between India and the United Kingdom, declaring that the partnership is going from 'strength to strength' under Modi's leadership. The remarks came after Sunak met Modi in New Delhi, on the sidelines of the Bloomberg New Economy Forum.

What Sunak Said

In a post on X following the meeting, Sunak wrote: 'Prime Minister Narendra, great to see you in New Delhi today. Congratulations on 25 years in public service, a remarkable achievement. It was a pleasure to work with you when I was Prime Minister. Your commitment, your work ethic, your energy is an example to us all. The UK-India relationship is going from strength to strength under your leadership. Our two countries cooperating more on trade, tech and AI is vital in a less predictable world. I know that Britain and India will continue to grow ever closer in the years ahead.'

Modi responded directly to Sunak's post on X, writing: 'Was wonderful meeting you at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum today!'

Significance of Sunak's Visit

Sunak — who served as UK Prime Minister from 2022 to 2024 and is the first person of Indian origin to hold that office — was born in Southampton to parents with roots in Punjab. His visit to New Delhi and the personal note of congratulating Modi on a quarter-century in public service underlines the symbolic weight both sides attach to people-to-people and political ties. Sunak described the growing cooperation in trade, technology, and Artificial Intelligence as 'vital in a less predictable world' — a phrase that gestures at both geopolitical uncertainty and the accelerating AI race.

Current State of UK-India Relations

The meeting comes months after Modi held a telephonic conversation in July with current UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, where both leaders committed to deepening cooperation across technology, innovation, defence, security, clean energy, education, and people-to-people ties. Modi, writing on X after that call, also highlighted the recently operationalised India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, saying the two countries would 'fully harness the trade and investment opportunities' it presents for 'shared prosperity and well-being.'

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries has been a long-running framework, and the trade agreement's operationalisation marks a concrete step forward after years of negotiation.

Broader Context

Sunak's endorsement of Modi's leadership — even as a former, rather than sitting, head of government — carries diplomatic resonance, reflecting the bipartisan depth of the India-UK relationship that transcends individual administrations. Notably, both the outgoing Conservative government under Sunak and the incoming administration under Burnham have signalled continuity on India policy, suggesting the bilateral relationship enjoys rare cross-party consensus in Westminster. As India deepens its role in global AI governance and supply chains, the emphasis on tech and trade cooperation is expected to grow in the years ahead.