A delicate balancing act
The on-going conflict in Ukraine has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, impacting everything from international relations to commodity prices.
Boris Johnson formally became Britain’s new Prime Minister on Wednesday and promised to leave the European Union on October 31 ‘no ifs, no buts’ under a ‘new deal’ with the 28-member economic bloc.
Not only this, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s son-in-law Rishi Sunak is also there in Boris’ new cabinet. Sunak has been appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the new cabinet.
In fact, there are three Indian-origin ministers in Boris’ new cabinet.
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The 55-year-old former foreign secretary and London Mayor expressed his vision as Prime Minister in his first speech on the steps of Downing Street in London after a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, during which the 93-year-old monarch formally invited him to form a government after accepting Theresa May’s resignation a little earlier.
The 47-year-old ardent Brexiteer declined to ‘speculate’ over Mr Johnson’s plans but said was confident the prime minister has plans for a ‘diverse’ Cabinet, given his track record of deploying a diverse team as the Mayor of London.
“We will restore trust in our democracy and we are going to fulfil the repeated promises of Parliament to the people and come out of the EU on October 31, no ifs or buts,” Johnson said. He added while he does have 99 days to that deadline, the country has had enough of waiting and the time to act on Brexit is right away.
Focusing on India-UK relations, Johnson said he wants to pursue a new trade deal and is expected to build on his self-confessed ‘personal relationship’ with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver a ‘truly special’ bilateral relationship.
(With Inputs from PTI)
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