March 20, 2024
2 mins read

Obama ‘drops in’ for informal meet with Sunak

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said Obama had made “an informal courtesy drop-in as part of his trip to London”…reports Asian Lite News

Barack Obama has held talks with Rishi Sunak as the former US president paid a “courtesy visit” to Downing Street during a trip to London.

The pair are understood to have discussed a range of subjects during an hour-long meeting, including one of the prime minister’s favourite topics, artificial intelligence.

Obama, who served two terms in the White House from 2009 to 2017 before he was succeeded by Donald Trump, was in London as part of work with his Obama Foundation, which oversees a scholarship programme and other initiatives.

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said Obama had made “an informal courtesy drop-in as part of his trip to London”.

He added: “I think President Obama’s team made contact and obviously the prime minister was very happy to meet with him and discuss the work of the Obama Foundation.”

The two held what were understood to be largely one-to-one discussions in the prime minister’s study. Obama briefly paused at the door of No 10 to wave to the cameras but no photos were released from what Downing Street said was a private meeting.

As Obama left Downing Street in the company of the US ambassador to the UK, Jane D Hartley, he was asked by the media for his opinion on the state of Russian democracy and replied: “I’m tempted!”

The former president later met the Labour leader, Keir Starmer. Obama previously visited Downing Street in April 2016 when David Cameron was prime minister.

Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary, is understood not to have been present at Monday’s discussions. Despite early suggestions of a “bromance” when both men were in power, their public utterances about each other have been mixed.

Obama suggested in 2016 that Cameron was distracted by domestic priorities as Libya descended into a “mess”. He also said he warned his British counterpart that the “special relationship” would be at risk if the UK did not commit to spending 2% of national income on defence, in line with Nato targets.

Cameron was withering of Obama in his autobiography, accusing him of “dithering” on Libya and of being “clearly frustrated he had been sucked in”.

ALSO READ-Biden backs Senator, calls for fresh polls in Israel

Previous Story

Biden to host trilateral summit with Japan, Philippines

Next Story

Tata Steel to shut coke ovens unit in Wales

Latest from -Top News

Riyadh and Islamabad Forge Closer Military Ties

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan strengthen defence ties as shifting regional dynamics push both nations to seek new security alignments Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have deepened their long-standing military partnership by agreeing to

Iran Warns of ‘Strategic Surprises’

Mousavi assured Iranians that the country’s armed forces, relying on strategic surprises, stand fully prepared to confront any threat from “oppressive powers” Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed

New York summit for two states

France and Saudi Arabia host a New York summit on Palestinian statehood, with global leaders set to recognise Palestine despite Israel and US boycotts and threats. France and Saudi Arabia will host

Dubai’s big startup bet!

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed launches bold national campaign to transform the UAE into the world’s startup capital, training 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs and creating 30,000 jobs by 2030. Dubai’s ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed

Piyush Goyal in US for Trade Talks

Goyal’s trip to the US capital follows the visit of the US team of officials to Delhi on September 16….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal was
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Sunak’s cabinet gets new Indian-origin minister

Like Sunak, UK-born Coutinho grew up in a family connected

Sunak attempts to catch up with Truss at Birmingham  

A recent survey of Tory voters said Truss has consolidated