UK’s David Lammy Recalls Kolkata Roots, Quips About ‘India’s Son-in-Law’ Rishi Sunak

UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy spoke about his Indian ancestry and shared a light-hearted exchange with former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a public conversation in New Delhi.

The interaction took place at the British High Commission, where Lammy warmly introduced Sunak by saying he was “not just a great son of the United Kingdom, he is also a great son of India.” Sunak quickly interjected, “Son-in-law,” drawing laughter from the audience. Lammy repeated the correction in good humour, reinforcing the personal and cultural connection.

Lammy then revealed his own family ties to India, stating that his great-grandmother on his mother’s side was from Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta. He described this heritage as a point of pride and a meaningful bridge between the two countries.

Despite belonging to different political parties in the UK, Lammy emphasised his long-standing friendship with Sunak and their ability to collaborate across party lines. He highlighted their joint efforts on raising awareness and improving outcomes for prostate cancer, describing it as a cross-party issue that has brought them together in recent years.

Focus on AI and Global Cooperation

The discussion also turned to artificial intelligence and global collaboration. Lammy referenced Sunak’s decision to host the first global AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, asking what motivated him to prioritise AI on the international stage and how he views its progress since then.

Earlier at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Sunak had described India as uniquely positioned to shape the global future of artificial intelligence. He pointed to the country’s strong digital public infrastructure and innovation ecosystem as key strengths.

Sunak also praised India’s flagship digital platforms such as Aadhaar and UPI, noting that the India Stack model has demonstrated how technology can be harnessed to improve everyday life at scale.

The exchange underscored both leaders’ emphasis on cross-border cooperation — whether in public health or emerging technologies — while also reflecting the personal ties that connect the UK and India.