Rishi Sunak, of Indian origin, is Britain's first non-white Prime Minister. As Voice of America correspondent Henry Ridgwell reports from London, some are comparing his election to that of Barack Obama in the United States.
Rishi Sunak is the first Briton of Asian descent to lead the country, an achievement welcomed by all political groups in parliament.
"It's a reminder that despite the challenges we face as a country, Britain is a place where people of all races and faiths can realize their dreams," said Labor leader Keir Starmer.
Some have described this as Britain's "Obama moment". Analyst Anand Menon, who is also of Indian origin, rejects this comparison.
"Because of the way Sunaku was elected... He was elected by the MPs as party leader. Barack Obama won a personal mandate from the American people by being elected president," says Mr. Menon.
It is nevertheless a significant moment.
"To see someone who is of South Asian origin, who is a believer of Hinduism, hold the highest office in the country - that matters," says Mr Menon.
The population of Hindu faith is celebrating Diwali these days. Many in the large Hindu community of the British city of Leicester welcomed Mr Sunak's appointment.
"Until the last moment, I thought 'no, he won't make it; he won't be able to do it'. But when he succeeded, he surprised me," says a resident of Leicester.
Others say they do not feel any connection with the new prime minister.
"There are people who are really struggling to get by, and he's clearly had a somewhat privileged lifestyle. I think it needs to sit down a bit," says Rita Patel, a resident of Leicester.
Mr Sunak is thought to be Britain's richest lawmaker. He attended an exclusive private school; studied at Oxford University and was an investment manager before becoming a Member of Parliament. His wife is the heiress of an Indian tycoon. Their wealth is thought to be worth 830 million dollars.
"Governments do not give good results in terms of social and economic diversity. There are fewer and fewer members of parliament who come from the working class, fewer and fewer members of parliament who have not attended private schools," says Professor Menon.
Rishi Sunak was born in southern England, to parents of Indian origin who moved to Britain from Kenya in the 1960s.
This year, India marks 75 years of independence from Britain. For some, Mr. Sunak's appointment has meaning.
"If a person of Indian origin becomes the prime minister of Britain, the same Britain that ruled us for so many years, then it is a moment of pride for all of India," says Manoj Garg, a resident of Delhi.
"The British ruled us for 200 years and now I have a feeling that Indians will rule Britain for the next 200 years," says Manpreet Singh.
However, Mr. Sunak's tenure will not be that long. Polls since his appointment show that the ruling Conservative Party ranks behind the opposition Labor Party, while elections are expected to be held only after two years./voa/
