New Delhi: In a symbolic and heartwarming gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer celebrated the signing of the much-anticipated India-UK Free Commerce Settlement by sharing a cup of freshly brewed masala chai at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister’s official countryside residence.
A modest but evocative tea stall was arrange on the luxurious lawns of Chequers, that includes a banner that learn, “Freshly brewed masala chai. Sourced from India, brewed in London.” Behind the stall stood Akhil Patel, a UK-based entrepreneur and founding father of Amala Chai, proudly pouring steaming cups of spiced tea for the 2 leaders.
PM Modi later posted a photograph of the second on Instagram, captioned: “Chai Pe Charcha with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers… brewing stronger India-UK ties!” The photograph shortly went viral, not only for the high-level diplomacy, but additionally for the presence of Patel, dubbed by social media because the ‘London Chaiwala’.
In a clip shared by Amala Chai’s Instagram deal with, PM Modi could be seen smiling as he waits for his tea. “You possibly can have a style of India,” he says. Patel, wearing a conventional Indian kurta, rigorously describes the wealthy spice mix: “It’s received cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper…” Then, handing a cup to Modi, he provides with a smile: “From one chaiwala to a different.” Modi nods in appreciation, clearly moved.
UK Prime Minister Starmer took a sip and responded warmly: “Oh, beautiful. Yeah, actually beautiful, good.”
Amala Chai captioned their Instagram submit, “Only a informal Thursday serving chai for @narendramodi @keirstarmer. What a loopy day! Past honoured. We’ll be sharing the complete story with you subsequent week, so preserve your eyes peeled!”
Who Is Akhil Patel: The ‘London Chaiwala’?
Akhil Patel is the founding father of Amala Chai, a small-batch chai model primarily based in London recognized for its clear sourcing, cultural authenticity, and respect for conventional chai brewing. Patel’s household has deep roots within the UK; his grandmother migrated over 50 years in the past in search of a greater life. He studied administration on the London Faculty of Economics and initially labored as an information analyst earlier than following a extra private calling.
In 2019, pushed by nostalgia and the reminiscence of chai shared together with his grandmother, Patel made a daring profession change. On LinkedIn, he as soon as mirrored: “I grew up with masala chai, my dad brewed it each morning, and each time I arrived at my grandma’s, she would provide to place some chai on.”
Pissed off by the shortage of genuine chai in cafés throughout the UK, Patel launched Amala Chai utilizing his grandmother’s treasured recipe. The mix makes use of single-origin tea leaves and spices sourced from family-run farms in Assam and Kerala, bringing a real style of India to teacups in London and past.
A Tasteful Gesture, A Brewing Partnership
Past the photo-op, the second captured at Chequers speaks volumes in regards to the evolving India-UK relationship, grounded not simply in coverage however in shared experiences and cultural connection. And for Akhil Patel, a younger entrepreneur with roots in each nations, it marked a dream fulfilled, serving chai to a pacesetter who as soon as bought tea on railway platforms, now sharing a symbolic cup on a worldwide stage.
As commerce offers are inked and political ties deepen, maybe it’s chai, steeped in custom, reminiscence, and heat, that provides probably the most comforting signal of all: that the bond between India and the UK just isn’t solely strategic but additionally deeply human.