Rishi Sunak is about to become the UK’s first prime minister of colour and the first Hindu prime minister, both milestones in Britain’s evolution as a multicultural and multi-faith society.

Although there has been a marked increase in politicians of colour being appointed to senior cabinet roles, including the key posts of chancellor, home secretary and foreign secretary, the UK has never had a black or brown prime minister before.

It was “an historic moment” that “simply would not have been possible even a decade or two ago,” said Sunder Katwala of the British Future thinktank, which focuses on identity and race.

“It shows that public service in the highest office in Britain can be open to those of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. This will be a source of pride to many British Asians – including many who do not share Rishi Sunak’s Conservative politics.”

Sunak is a practising Hindu, although he has rarely talked publicly about his faith. He was named as the UK’s next leader on Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. It celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

Two years ago, when Sunak was chancellor, he lit candles to mark Diwali on the doorstep of No 11 Downing Street at a time when Covid restrictions remained in force.

“It was one of my proudest moments that I was able to do that on the steps of Downing Street. It was one of my proudest moments of the job that I had for the last two years,” he told the Times earlier this year.

His faith “gives me strength, it gives me purpose. It’s part of who I am,” he said. After the 2017 general election, he swore his oath to parliament upon the sacred Hindu text the Bhagavad Gita. Grant Shapps, who became home secretary last week, downplayed the significance of Sunak becoming the UK’s first prime minister of colour.