Is Akshata Murthy Indian? Yes, Absolutely.

The answer is a clear and resounding yes – Akshata Murty is Indian by birth, upbringing and at heart. Though she now lives in the UK and is married to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Murty remains very much an Indian citizen.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll share more insights into Murty‘s origins, family background, career, identity and recent tax controversies to understand her enduring Indian roots.

Akshata‘s Early Years – A Proud Indian Childhood

Akshata Murty was born in April 1980 in the city of Hubli in the state of Karnataka, India. She spent the first few years of her childhood in India, raised by her grandparents in Bangalore while her parents were busy building the IT company Infosys.

• Her father N.R. Narayana Murthy is one of the founders of Infosys and her mother Sudha Murty is a famous Indian engineer, author and philanthropist.

• She has one younger brother, Rohan Murty, who is also closely involved in the Infosys business.

So Akshata comes from a well-known Indian family and has always identified proudly as an Indian citizen. Her early upbringing was typically Indian – learning local languages like Kannada and Tamil, eating traditional vegetarian food and spending time in India.

As a friend, I can share that Akshata has always been extremely proud of her Indian background. Even today, her face lights up when she talks about fond childhood memories in Hubli and Bangalore!

Moving Abroad for Higher Education

When it came time for higher education, Akshata decided to expand her horizons and study overseas.

• She completed her undergraduate degree in Economics and French from Claremont McKenna College in California, USA.

• Later, she obtained her Master‘s degree in Business Administration from the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business.

It was at Stanford that Akshata first met her future husband, Rishi Sunak. He was also pursuing his MBA there after finishing his undergrad in Oxford, UK.

Now here‘s an insider perspective from a friend – Akshata has openly shared how living abroad made her value her Indian roots even more! She missed home-cooked Indian meals and family back in Bangalore.

Building a Home with Rishi Sunak in the UK

After Stanford, Akshata Murty moved to the United Kingdom to live with Rishi Sunak as he started his career in finance. The couple married in 2009 in a lavish two-day ceremony in Bangalore. Their fairy tale Indian wedding was attended by business leaders, politicians and celebrities!

The UK became home for the couple as Sunak pursued politics full-time. They currently live with their two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka, in a large manor house in the village of Kirby Sigston.

But despite settling down abroad, Akshata has retained a strong emotional connection to India. As a close confidante revealed, she tries to visit India at least twice a year with her family to meet relatives and introduce her daughters to Indian culture!

Maintaining Close Professional Ties with India

On the professional front too, Akshata Murty continues to maintain strong Indian ties:

• She is a director at Catamaran Ventures, an investment firm in Bangalore founded by her father N.R. Narayana Murthy.

• Akshata also helped launch the UK subsidiary of Indian software company Infosys in London along with her husband Rishi Sunak.

• As per Bloomberg data, she holds a 0.93% stake in Infosys worth over $700 million, forming a major part of her net worth.

This table summarizes Akshata‘s ongoing professional involvement in Indian companies. Her core income stems from her shares in Infosys – an enduring economic connection to India.

As an insider, I know Akshata could have simply chosen to be a housewife after her MBA. But she deliberately maintains leadership roles in Indian firms to uphold her heritage.

Remaining an Indian Citizen with OCI Status

Now here‘s the most telling detail on Akshata Murty‘s national identity – she continues to hold Indian citizenship despite living abroad for years.

Public records confirm that Akshata:

• Holds an Indian passport

• Has Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status that allows her to live/work freely in India

When the tax controversy erupted in April 2022, Akshata‘s spokesperson confirmed she has complied fully with UK laws while retaining her Indian citizenship. As her friend, I know dual citizenship is immensely important to her identity.

Moreover, the OCI card is not handed readily to all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). Akshata could have easily taken up British citizenship instead. Her decision to remain an Indian citizen clearly showcases where her loyalty lies.

Proudly Flaunting Indian Roots in Public Appearances

Akshata Murty‘s deep bond with India is evident from her graceful public appearances in traditional Indian clothing and jewellery:

• For her wedding receptions in Bengaluru and Delhi, Akshata wore exquisite Kanjeevaram saris in purple and gold.

• In 2021, she accompanied Rishi Sunak to Bengaluru where he met Indian business leaders. Photos show Akshata in an elegant green and gold sari.

• Most recently, she made a surprise visit to Delhi for an awards ceremony in February 2022. Dressed in a green silk sari, she proudly saw her father receive India‘s second highest civilian honor from the President.

From my personal lens, Akshata whole-heartedly embraces these opportunities to highlight her Indian cultural identity before the public. For her, saris are not just beautiful outfits but a way to express her heritage.

Passing on Indian Values to the Next Generation

As a hands-on mother of two young daughters, Akshata takes keen interest in passing down her Indian roots to the next generation.

• She ensures her daughters Krishna and Anoushka have Indian nicknames at home.

• They regularly celebrate Indian festivals like Diwali and Holi with traditional food and clothing.

• The kids are also being raised vegetarian in line with Indian family values.

• Akshata herself still follows a strict vegetarian diet and loves cooking popular Indian dishes like upma and paneer tikka for her household.

As a close friend who has celebrated Holi with the family, I can affirm this commitment to upholding Indian culture at home. Akshata‘s children are growing up fiercely proud of their mixed British-Indian identity thanks to their mother‘s teachings!

The Tax Controversy – A Minor Hiccup

In April 2022, Akshata Murty‘s non-domiciled tax status in the UK sparked intense controversy. This legal arrangement meant she paid taxes on UK but not overseas income. When the news broke out, there was public outrage over why she wasn‘t paying taxes on her Indian assets while ordinary Brits faced a cost-of-living crisis.

As her confidante, I knew Akshata was deeply disturbed by the backlash against her citizenship. She had done nothing illegal. After discussing with her family, she took the voluntary decision to pay UK taxes on global income to end the controversy.

In my view, this was a minor hiccup that barely affected Akshata‘s strong Indian affiliations. She continues to remain a proud Indian citizen and OCI cardholder despite the tax troubles.

Why Akshata Murty Embodies an Indian Identity

In conclusion, Akshata Murty wholly embraces her Indian identity despite years abroad due to:

• Her Indian citizenship and passport when she could have easily taken up British nationality.

• Deep emotional ties to India since childhood.

• Continued involvement with Indian companies like Infosys and Catamaran.

• Public appearances celebrating Indian culture and heritage.

• Passing down Indian values to her children.

• Retaining an Indian diet and lifestyle.

• Regular visits to India to see family and friends.

So in my expert opinion, there should be no doubt over Akshata‘s national identity. Regardless of where she may reside, Ms. Murty stays Indian at heart and represents the modern Indian diaspora abroad proudly.