"Akshata Murty's Impactful G20 Speech"

In New Delhi, Akshata Murty, the wife of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has taken center stage at the G20 summit, overshadowing her husband’s presence. As the daughter of one of India’s wealthiest individuals, her prominent role has not gone unnoticed. Downing Street has been actively promoting her activities during the trip, from playing soccer with schoolchildren to accompanying Sunak at official events.

Murty’s significance lies in her family’s prominence, with her parents being renowned figures in India’s public sphere. Her father, N. R. Narayana Murty, is a billionaire IT magnate, and the Murty family symbolizes a compelling middle-class success story in India.

Sunak himself, of Indian heritage, expressed his excitement about the trip and the presence of Akshata by his side. While she is participating in the G20 spousal program, visiting millet fields and the National Gallery of Modern Art, she has also pursued her own interests, such as meeting young female fashion designers at the British Council. Her fashion choices, blending Indian and Western sensibilities, have garnered local attention.

Notably, Akshata Murty’s prominence is highlighted by the absence of two other high-profile political spouses at the G20 summit. Jill Biden, the US First Lady, was unable to attend due to her teaching commitments and a recent positive COVID-19 test. Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the summit solo, following his separation from Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.

In summary, Akshata Murty’s influential presence and active engagement during the G20 summit have captured attention, while the absence of other political spouses has further emphasized her role on the international stage.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Politico