Rishi Sunak And Akshata Murty Set Couple Goals During Trip To India

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, businesswoman Akshata Murty, have been captivating observers with their public appearances in New Delhi during the G20 Summit. Following their viral photo of Sunak's tie-fixing moment, the couple's images from their visit to the Akshardham Temple on Sunday have garnered praise.

At the temple, Sunak and Murty were warmly welcomed in the traditional Hindu manner. They were seen participating in the 'aarti' ceremony and performing 'abhishek' (ritual pouring of water) on the murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj. Their prayers were offered for world peace, progress, and harmony.

Sunak expressed his admiration for the temple, stating, "My wife and I were delighted to visit Swaminarayan Akshardham for darshan and puja this morning. We were amazed and awed by the beauty of this temple and its universal message of peace, harmony, and becoming a better human being. This is not only a place of worship, but a landmark that also portrays India's values, culture, and contributions to the world."

The photos of their visit generated enthusiastic responses on social media, with many users expressing their admiration with heart-shaped eyes and hug emojis. One user commented, "Best photos of this G20 summit. UK PM is proud of his religion."

Another user quoted a popular Bollywood dialogue from the movie 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,' saying, "London mein rehne se, wahan padhne likhne se, main apne sanskaar nahi bhuli aur yeh tum mat bhulna - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai [2023]." The dialogue roughly translates to: "I did not forget my culture and traditions despite staying and studying in London. And you must note it."

Some users took the opportunity to criticize Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister, over his comment about "eradicating Sanatan Dharma." One person stated, "The world is accepting the power of 'Sanatan Dharma' today, while corrupt leaders in India, like Udhayanidhi Stalin, are trying to end it."

Others admired Sunak and Murty for sharing an umbrella in the rain during their visit to Akshardham, as Delhi experienced heavy rainfall that morning.

Swamis at Akshardham praised Rishi Sunak for dedicating nearly an hour to darshan and prayer despite adverse weather conditions. Brahmavihari Swami, the senior swami of the sanstha, highlighted the strong bond of friendship between the UK and India, fostered by cultural exchanges and a vibrant Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom.

In addition to their public appearances, a candid photo of Sunak and Murty went viral on Friday, capturing the First Lady of the United Kingdom adjusting her husband's tie before disembarking from the plane. This glimpse into their personal life resonated with social media users, who welcomed the couple to India with warm messages.

Rishi Sunak's parents are of Indian origin, with grandparents reportedly from Punjab, and Akshata Murty is the daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy. The couple married in 2009. Earlier this year, Sudha Murty, Sunak's mother-in-law, credited her daughter for his rapid rise to power, suggesting that Akshata "made her husband a Prime Minister" in a widely circulated video.