New Delhi: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love talks about her personal experiences with many global leaders like former US President Bill Clinton, former French leader Nicolas Sarkozy and Britain’s Princess Diana.
Gandhi talks about her experiences with them when interacting during official meets and social events.
While Clinton was visiting India in 2000, Gandhi noticed that he showed a lot of interest towards women during the event.
Sonia Gandhi on Bill Clinton
“While Bill Clinton was visiting India (in 2000) he was staying at a hotel called Sheraton. He was accompanied by his daughter Chelsea and his team. I met him along with the Foreign Minister.
He was very friendly, laid-back and confident. However I noticed that he was more keen to share his opinions regarding Kashmir than listen to what we had to say.
He described Kashmir as a ‘nuclear flashpoint’ and “one of the most dangerous places on earth.”
Also referring to The Monica Lewinsky scandal that had died down by this point she writes:
“The Monica Lewinsky scandal had subsided a little by then, but old habits die hard; at the reception held by Prime Minister Vajpayee in his honour, I noticed him every now and then surreptitiously sizing up the more striking women present.”
Love life of Sarkozy
Gandhi also remembers Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to India in 2008. While he was there he had an informal dinner with the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He was accompanied by his then girlfriend Carla Bruni.
He was apparently recommended not to bring Bruni to any official events as they were not married yet.
At the dinner he was asked numerous questions by the wife of the current Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari who was sitting beside him. She asked questions such as if they had set a date and if he missed her.
However Sarkozy seemed relaxed and answered them while constantly texting Bruni.
They would later get married and Sarkozy was clearly very much in love with his wife, who was a popular singer, songwriter and model across Europe.
Bruni was elegant and graceful wearing a long dress.
Princess Diana
Another memorable moment in the memoir is referencing Princess Diana.
While her late husband former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had a good relationship with Prince Charles, she was the true star.
I accompanied Rajiv to Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981. I remember her being a beautiful bride with big blue eyes, an amazing smile and a captivating personality.
Gandhi also met them during their visit to India in 1992. They came to see them for a late tea.
Their relationship seemed to be a bit tense at this point. While Diana famously sat alone on a bench in front of the Taj Mahal that day, Charles seemed open and funny. While Diana looked very elegant in a two piece red and purple outfit she seemed quite gloomy.
Gandhi wrote that she spoke to Diana about where she had been and enjoyed during her visit.
The memoir provides a personal insight into Sonia Gandhi’s interactions with global leaders and members of the British Royal family. It also gives her thoughts about their personalities.