UK Deputy PM Highlights India Ties During Event With Rishi Sunak

In an engaging session at the British High Commission in New Delhi, United Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy underscored his personal connections to India while reflecting on his longstanding friendship with former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The remarks came during a broader discussion that blended humour, heritage and global issues such as artificial intelligence.

Lammy, speaking alongside Sunak, drew laughter from the audience by playfully introducing his friend as “a great son of the United Kingdom and also a great son of India,” to which Sunak interjected jokingly that he was “son‑in‑law,” eliciting a warm reaction. Lammy then clarified his own familial connection to India, stating that his great‑grandmother on his mother’s side came from Calcutta, illustrating personal roots that resonate with many in India and the UK.

The interaction came amid discussions on UK‑India relations and global cooperation, notably on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Both leaders were in New Delhi in conjunction with international AI summits and engagement with Indian policymakers and technologists, underscoring the deepening ties between the democratic partners.

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Lammy also highlighted the ability to work across the political aisle, noting that despite being from different UK political parties, he and Sunak have collaborated on issues such as prostate cancer awareness and public health, demonstrating that shared goals can transcend partisan divides.

Sunak used the platform to praise India’s role in shaping the future of AI, pointing to the country’s digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystem and broad public optimism toward technology. He reiterated that India’s place on the global stage — especially in tech and innovation — had been firmly established, calling the country an ideal venue for global discussions on AI’s future.

The exchange highlighted not only personal heritage stories but also broader efforts to strengthen diplomatic, technological and cultural ties between the UK and India. As both nations explore expanded collaboration in trade, security, and innovation, moments like these serve to humanise and deepen bilateral engagement.

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