Sonia Gandhi shares anecdotes about world leaders in new memoir
The memoir titled Belonging includes recollections of interactions with figures such as Bill Clinton, Princess Diana, and Prince Edward.
Sonia Gandhi has shared various anecdotes regarding her encounters with world leaders in her memoir, Belonging, according to the Hindustan Times. Having travelled with two Prime Ministers, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, the author recounts several personal observations from her meetings.
In the book, Gandhi writes that she noticed Bill Clinton surreptitiously sizing up striking women at a reception held by Prime Minister Vajpayee in his honour. She noted that while the Monica Lewinsky scandal had subsided a little by then, old habits die hard.
The memoir also describes the arrogant manner of Sarkozy during his visit to India. Gandhi also recalls a lighthearted interaction with Princess Diana, who spoke to Gandhi’s mother in Italian and referred to her as “Nonna”.
Regarding the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Gandhi recounts a dinner held by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for Prince Charles and Camilla, the then Duchess of Cornwall. During the event, Prince Edward reportedly asked other ministers, “And you lot – who are you?”
The author notes that a stunned silence followed the question. Pranab Mukherjee, the then Finance Minister of India, responded by stating his identity and introducing his cabinet colleagues, to which Prince Edward replied, “Ah yes of course.”