Rishi, Kamala Aur Hum

Why Indian-origin leaders in key foreign governments aren’t always good news for India

- Sanjaya Baru

Two decades ago the Vajpayee government accepted the report of the high-level committee on the Indian diaspora, chaired by the distinguished LM Singhvi, and decided to celebrate a ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ every year, “in recognition and appreciation of the constructive economic, political and philanthropic role played by the Indian diaspora”.

The economic and philanthropic roles of overseas Indians have been repeatedly welcomed by successive governments. It’s the ‘political’ role that creates both excitement and angst and is increasingly a source of concern in home and host countries.

Not surprisingly, therefore, Indian officials are presently hoping that a Boris-like figure would be elected British prime minister rather than a South Asian brown skin. Rishi Sunak may be of Indian origin and the sonin-law of a patriotic Indian, but it’s best that someone like Liz Truss makes it. Easier to deal with the United Kingdom through a fish-n-chips true-blue Brit, than through a dosa aficionado. That was the lesson learnt dealing with the United States and Canada.