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Joe Biden hailed Rishi Sunak becoming Prime Minister as an “astounding milestone”. The US President responded late on Monday to news the Richmond MP became the third Prime Minister in 2022, after Liz Truss resigned on Thursday.
Speaking as he marked Diwali, a five-day “Festival of Lights” and a celebration by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, Mr Biden said: “Whether it’s the United Kingdom, where just today we’ve gotten news that Rishi — (applause) — Rishi Sunak is now the Prime Minister.
“As my brother would say, ‘Go figure’. And the Conservative Party. Expected to become the next Prime Minister I think tomorrow, when he goes to see the King.
“Pretty astounding. A groundbreaking milestone. And it matters. It matters.”
Earlier on Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “President Biden looks forward to speaking with minister Sunak in the upcoming days.”
She added he is also looking forward to “close cooperation with the United Kingdom”.
Ms Jean-Pierre explained that, by protocol, Mr Biden would wait until Mr Sunak had received his official appointment.
Mr Sunak is set to make his maiden speech to the nation from approximately 11.30am.
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, was among the first international figures to congratulate him.
He said: “As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues and implementing Roadmap 2030.
“Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership.”
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