Britain's newly-appointed Indian- origin junior minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Alok Sharma today vowed to work "tirelessly" as he was given charge of Asia and the Pacific.
The lawmaker for Reading West, who had been named Parliamentary Under Secretary of Statein Theresa May's Cabinet on Sunday, is expected to have India among the countries that fall within his ministerial portfolio in the FCO.
"I am honoured to have been appointed by the Prime Minister as Minister for Asia and the Pacific, hugely important parts of the world that are crucial for the UK's prosperity and security. Britain is a truly great country and I will work tirelessly to ensure we continue to thrive and prosper on the world stage," Sharma said in a statement today.
"I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues and my counterparts across Asia and the Pacific, with a particular focus on strengthening commercial ties, increasing investment opportunities in both directions and promoting human rights in the region," he said.
In his new role in the FCO, Sharma will work closely with newly-appointed foreign secretary Boris Johnson.
