I / London June 27, 2007James Gordon Brown, a self-proclaimed admirer of India, today took over as Prime Minister of Britain amid expectations that the relations between New Delhi and London would develop further.The 56-year-old Labour party leader was sworn in by Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace shortly after Blair stepped down after holding the top post for 10 years.Brown, Chancellor of Exchequer, took over as leader of the Labour party on Sunday from Blair who stepped down in the backdrop of decline in his popularity for joining the US-led campaign in Iraq.This is the first time that a changeover has occurred without a general election.Blair, 54, became the Prime Minister in 1997 bringing to an end the 18-year-old rule of the Conservative party, after the Labour emerged victorious with the biggest majority.Son of a preacher of Scotland, Brown rose from an academic to become the Prime Minister, capping his 24-year political career.A respected politician, Brown has special interest in strengthening and deepening relations with a "pulsating, dynamic India" and has recently talked of according high priority to ties with New Delhi. (PTI)
