As Rishi Sunak took charge of the office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, here’s a look at all the other Indian-origin world leaders.
Indians and people of Indian-origin making a mark around the world is not new. Indians are ruling over the world, quite literally. From Sundar Pichai to Satya Nadella, the Indian-origin leaders’ list is only seeing additions. They are leading not just companies and large organisations, but also nations. Today we are looking at some of these Indian-origin world leaders who are making us proud.
Indian-origin world leaders
Rishi Sunak
A British politician of Indian descent, Rishi Sunak served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022 and Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 2019 to 2020 and also has been a Member of Parliament for Richmond since 2015. He was born in Southampton to parents of Indian descent who migrated to Britain from East Africa in the 1960s. He is married to Akshata Murty, the daughter of Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy of Infosys.
Kamala Harris
An American politician and attorney, Kamala Harris is the first female and the 49th vice president of the United States and is one of the most prominent Indian-origin world leaders. She was born in Oakland, California to Shyamala Gopalan, a Tamil-Indian biologist, who had arrived in the US from India in 1958 as a 19-year-old graduate student. Her father Donald J. Harris is a Stanford University professor of Afro-Jamaican descent.
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Pravind Jugnauth
Another Indian-origin world leader, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth has been serving since January 2017. He was born in La Caverne, a suburb area in Vacoas-Phoenix, Mauritius, into a Hindu Ahir family, to parents Anerood Jugnauth, a barrister, and Sarojini Ballah. He got married to Kobita Ramdanee in 1992.
Antonio Costa
António Luís Santos da Costa is the current prime minister of Portugal, serving since 26 November 2015. He also held prestigious titles in Portuguese politics earlier. He was the Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs from 1995 to 1997, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs from 1997 to 1999, Minister of Justice from 1999 to 2002, and Minister of Internal Administration from 2005 to 2007. He also served as the Mayor of Lisbon from 2007 to 2015. A half-Indian, Costa’s father was born in Maputo, Mozambique, to a Goan family. Costa is affectionately known as Babush in Goa, a Konkani word which means a young loved one.
Prithvirajsing Roopun
The seventh president of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun is also known as Pradeep Singh Roopun. Born in an Indian Arya Samaji Hindu family, Roopun grew up in Morcellement St. Jean, a suburb of Quatre Bornes and is married to Sayukta Roopun. He joined politics in 1983 and is a prominent Indian-origin world leader today.
Chan Santokhi
Chandrikapersad Santokhi is the 9th president of Suriname and was also a Surinamese politician and a former police officer. He was born on 3 February 1959, into an Indo-Surinamese Hindu family, where he was the youngest of nine siblings.
Mohamed Irfaan Ali
The president of Guyana, Ali is also the first Muslim president of Guyana. Born to an Indo-Guyanese Muslim family in Leonora, Ali holds a doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the West Indies.
Wavel Ramkalawan
The president of Seychelles, Ramakalavan was born in Mahé, the principal island of Seychelles. He was born into a third-generation Indian migrant family, as his grandfather hailed from Bihar, India.
Halimah Yacob
A Singaporean politician and former lawyer, she is currently the president of Singapore. Before this, she was also the country’s Parliament Speaker. She was born in 1954 to an Indian father, a watchman who died due to a heart attack. A notable Indian-origin world leader, Yacob is also the first female President of the nation.
Hero and Featured Image: Courtesy Instagram
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of global leadership, particularly focusing on Indian-origin world leaders. My extensive knowledge is rooted in a broad range of sources, including historical context, political landscapes, and personal backgrounds of these leaders. Let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the article about Indian-origin world leaders.
Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak, a British politician of Indian descent, served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Born in Southampton to Indian migrant parents, he has been a Member of Parliament for Richmond since 2015. His marriage to Akshata Murty, the daughter of Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy, showcases his deep connections to the Indian diaspora.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris, the 49th vice president of the United States, is a prominent American politician and attorney. Born in Oakland, California, to Shyamala Gopalan, a Tamil-Indian biologist, her background reflects the diversity of the Indian diaspora in the U.S. Harris's achievements mark her as a trailblazer, being the first female vice president.
Pravind Jugnauth
Pravind Jugnauth, the Prime Minister of Mauritius since January 2017, was born into a Hindu Ahir family. His parents, Anerood Jugnauth and Sarojini Ballah, showcase the multicultural fabric of Mauritius. Jugnauth's leadership role emphasizes the global influence of individuals with Indian roots.
Antonio Costa
António Luís Santos da Costa, the Prime Minister of Portugal, has a diverse background. A half-Indian leader, his father was born in Maputo, Mozambique, to a Goan family. Known as Babush in Goa, Costa's political journey includes significant roles in Portuguese politics, reflecting his multicultural heritage.
Prithvirajsing Roopun
Prithvirajsing Roopun, the President of Mauritius, born in an Indian Arya Samaji Hindu family, showcases the cultural diversity within Mauritius. His political journey since 1983 highlights the significant contributions of individuals of Indian origin in global leadership.
Chan Santokhi
Chandrikapersad Santokhi, the 9th president of Suriname, born into an Indo-Surinamese Hindu family, represents the multiculturalism of Suriname. His background as a former police officer adds a unique dimension to his leadership.
Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the president of Guyana, born to an Indo-Guyanese Muslim family, is the first Muslim president of the country. His academic background in Urban and Regional Planning adds an intellectual dimension to his leadership.
Wavel Ramkalawan
Wavel Ramkalawan, the President of Seychelles, born into a third-generation Indian migrant family, reflects the historical ties between Seychelles and India. His grandfather's origins from Bihar, India, contribute to the rich tapestry of Seychellois leadership.
Halimah Yacob
Halimah Yacob, the President of Singapore, born to an Indian father, symbolizes the diverse cultural heritage of Singapore. Her journey from Parliament Speaker to the first female President highlights her significant contributions to Singaporean politics.
In conclusion, these Indian-origin world leaders exemplify the global impact of individuals with diverse backgrounds, showcasing the richness and influence of the Indian diaspora on the world stage.
