Rishi Sunak

In a year when India became officially the most populous nation on the planet ever, it’s perhaps less surprising to see so many of our tribe running the show elsewhere in the world. And were the definition of ‘Indian origin’ expanded to include akhand Bharat, well, we saw the crowing memes about England, Scotland and London having desis in charge. Hmmâ€æwhy not Wales, given that they already have an Indian accent?

That said, the Indian conquest of the Anglosphere has been in progress for some time now. Seven of the ten in this category have been sitting pretty at the top since the last iteration of the INDIA TODAY High & Mighty list, although the order has changed somewhat. Rishi Sunak was just the well-liked Chancellor of the Exchequer back in 2021. He has since shown the raw ambition and guile necessary to rule the island nation for the past seven months. No wonder he has snatched top spot from Kamala Harris, whose term as America’s Veep has been uneventful by comparison.

It’s worth remarking that unlike the others on this list (with one exception) Sunak and Harris are also the only foreign-born Global Indians here. A sign, perhaps, that the geography of birth is rather more crucial for a political career than other fields of achievement. The rest of this Indian-born cohort have gone on to storm the bastions of international rich lists, academia, finance and industry, Hollywood and, of course, Silicon Valley. There was a time when India bemoaned the ‘brain-drain’. Yet, while there’s no indication that the exodus of well-qualified Indians has attenuated—quite the contrary—globalisation has paradoxically assuaged our fears that Global Indians are lost to us.

1. RISHI SUNAK, 43

Prime Minister, United Kingdom

CROWNING GLORY

Because Britain’s youngest PM in two centuries—and the first of Indian origin—had a calming influence on the financial markets and averted an economic meltdown after Liz Truss’s huge tax cuts sparked panic, compounded by a cost of living crisis, soaring inflation and strikes by nurses, teachers, paramedics and others.

Because in spite of the Conservatives doing badly in the council elections, Sunak has personally delivered—he unveiled a new Brexit deal with the European Union, finalised the Aukus defence pact, worked on energy security and took strict action on crime and policing.

Because under Sunak, Britain has been one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine. He has visited Kiev once, and has hosted President Volodymyr Zelensky twice. It has pledged more sophisticated weapons than other countries, including air defence missiles, armed drones and cruise missiles for Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression.

2. KAMALA HARRIS, 58

Vice-President, United States

Because the first woman, the first African-American and the first South Asian-American to be elected vice-president will be crucial as President Joe Biden seeks a second term. As running mate of the oldest president in history, Harris is leading the Democrats’ charge on various issues. Harris is also important as a barrier-breaking idol for Black women voters. Experts see in her a future presidential candidate.

Because Harris embraced the role of the administration’s defender of reproductive rights after the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe vs Wade judgment that legalised abortion. She has toured the nation, advocating women’s right to choose, deploring ‘extremists’ who support the ban.

Because Harris is a key actor in delineating US foreign policy abroad, with the Biden administration seeking to undo Trump’s abrasive ‘America First’ dictum. She helped passage of a $2 billion Covid stimulus bill, is involved in shaping policy on healthcare, education and immigration.

3. SATYA NADELLA, 55

Executive Chairman & CEO, Microsoft

LEADING THE AI BRIGADE

Because in January 2022, Nadella was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, in the Trade and Industry category.

Because Nadella and Microsoft are among the leaders in the development of AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based products, with Microsoft having invested about $13 billion in OpenAI, the lab that developed ChatGPT.

Because since becoming the third CEO of Microsoft (after Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer), Nadella has led the firm from strength to strength, being hailed as Financial Times’s Person of the Year and Fortune’s Businessperson Of the Year in 2019.

4. SUNDAR PICHAI, 50

CEO, Google

THE INTELLIGENT DISRUPTOR

Because under Pichai’s leadership, Google is leveraging AI to develop a slew of world-changing products, from autonomously-written emails to Bard, Google’s conversational AI, which was launched in India on May 11 this year.

Because receiving the Padma Bhushan in 2022, Pichai said, “India is a part of me. I carry it with me wherever I go.”

Because Pichai is one of the highest-paid executives in the business, with his 2022 compensation topping $226 million. The lion’s share—about $218 million—was in the form of stock awards.

5. GITA GOPINATH, 51

First Deputy Managing Director, IMF

MONETARY MAESTRA

Because in her role as the first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund since January 2022, she has earned admiration as she represents the Fund at multilateral forums, maintains high-level contacts with governments and board members, and leads the Fund’s work on surveillance and related policies.

Because in her former role as IMF’s chief economist, she came up with proposals to end the pandemic, including vaccinating 60 per cent of the world’s population and ensuring widespread testing and tracing.

Because she is much sought-after for her views on global economic issues, be it geopolitical and inflation risks or cracks in monetary policies of central banks.