As Rishi Sunak took over as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly dialed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The two leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict, counter-terrorism, and bilateral relations.
This comes amid an escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict with the Indian Embassy in Ukraine advising Indian citizens to leave the country immediately.
Cleverly tweeted, "Great to speak with India’s External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar today. We discussed the Russia-Ukraine crisis and that the UK will be challenging Russia’s rhetoric and allegations during the UNSC today."
Rishi Sunak on Tuesday took charge as Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister with a promise to put the crisis-hit country's needs "above politics" and "fix the mistakes" made by his predecessor, a day after he was elected the leader of the Conservative Party in a historic leadership run.
The 42-year-old investment banker-turned-politician is the youngest British prime minister in 210 years. He is also Britain's first Hindu Prime Minister.
In his first address at the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in London after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, the new Prime Minister said that he takes over at a time when the UK is facing a "profound economic crisis" as it deals with the aftermath of COVID and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Sunak asserted that he is "not daunted” by the high office he has accepted and hopes to live up to its demands.