British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasised his Hindu credentials when he attended the Ram Katha led by spiritual leader Morari Bapu at Jesus College, Cambridge.

Rishi’s assertion of his faith comes ahead of his first trip to India as Prime Minister when he will be attending the G20 summit in Delhi next month.

Addressing Morari Bapu with folded hands, Rishi began with, “Jai Siya Ram!” — this is said to be politically less aggressive than “Jai Shri Ram” as used by the Hindutva movement in India — and said: “It is truly an honour and pleasure to be here today at Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha at the University of Cambridge on Indian Independence Day.”

He went on: “Bapu, I am here today not as a Prime Minister but as a Hindu.

“For me faith is very personal. It guides me in every aspect of my life. Being Prime Minister is a great honour, but it is not an easy job. There are difficult decisions to make, hard choices to confront and our faith gives me courage, strength and resilience to do the best that I can for our country.

“For me, it was a wonderful and special moment to light diyas for Diwali outside 11 Downing Street back when I was chancellor. And just like Bapu has a Golden Hanuman in his background, I am proud that a Golden Ganesha sits gleefully on my desk at 10 Downing Street. It is a constant reminder to me about listening and reflecting on issues before acting.”

The old links that Indian voters had with the Labour party under leaders like Michael Foot have frayed in recent years. There has been a corresponding strengthening of the relationship between the Tory party and British Indians.