Set to be the new British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has a close India connection. His estranged wife Marina Wheeler, whom he married in 1993, is half Indian. Ms Wheeler is the niece of late editor and writer Khushwant Singh. Before they announced their separation last year after 25 years of marriage, Mr Johnson had travelled several times to India with Marina. They have four children together. Mr Johnson, who won the race within the Conservative Party to become the country’s next Prime Minister, is expected to rely on his declared personal connect with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver a “truly special” UK-India relationship.

In his letter to the Indian diaspora Tory membership base, Mr Johnson wrote that during his meeting with Mr Modi he had stressed upon how India and UK were modern democracies and should work together to promote trade and prosperity. Mr Johnson told Mr Modi that the two nations should work closely to tackle the challenges that their countries face. The former Mayor of London and former Foreign Secretary, 55, has earlier referred to himself as the son-in-law of India. Marina’s mother, Dip Singh, who is still alive, was married to Khushwant Singh’s youngest brother, Daljit Singh.