Indian-origin PM for 'all of British Isles': Leo Varadkar is now Ireland PM

Months after Rishi Sunk of Indian origin became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Leo Varadkar, 43, also of Indian origin, returned to power in the Republic of Ireland. Varadkar has taken over as the new Prime Minister or Taoiseach of Ireland, as he and Micheál Martin swap roles as part of the coalition agreement of June 2020.

Martin will take on Varadkar’s role as tánaiste or deputy prime minister, and will also be minister for foreign affairs, the BBC report said. Media reports said that with this, symbolically, all the British Isles are now ruled by people of Indian origin.

President Higgins this afternoon signed the Warrant of Appointment and presented the seal of the Taoiseach and seal of the Government to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pic.twitter.com/3Gi0yw7Bqk

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) December 17, 2022

Also read: Indian-origin Leo Varadkar becomes Deputy PM in historic Irish coalition pact

Joint govt

The son of an Indian-born doctor and an Irish nurse, Varadkar, was elected by 87 Deputy to the Dáil or members of the Irish Parliament, while 62 opposed his nomination, as reported by the BBC.

Martin’s Fianna Fáil and Varadkar’s Fine Gael formed their first joint government with support from a junior coalition partner, the Green Party. All three agreed that Martin would lead for the first 2 ½ years, and Varadkar for the rest of an expected five-year administration. Varadkar previously led the government from 2017 to 2020.

Modi’s greetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, congratulated Varadkar on his appointment.

Modi, in a tweet, said that he values the historical ties, shared constitutional values, and multi-faceted cooperation between India and Ireland.

Congratulations @LeoVaradkar on assuming office as Taoiseach for the second time. Highly value our historical ties, shared constitutional values & multi-faceted cooperation with Ireland. Look forward to working together to realise the full potential of our vibrant economies.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 17, 2022

Sunak said he looks forward to working with Varadkar “to ensure all strands of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreements are working.”

Also read: From Nikki Haley to Rishi Sunak, a look at prominent Indian-origin world leaders

Varadkar was born in the suburbs of Dublin to Ashok and Miriam, who met in Slough and lived in Leicester and India, returning to Dublin in 1973. The couple has three children: Sophia, a neurologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London; Sonia, a midwife at the Coombe Hospital in Dublin; and Leo.