Politics1 min read

Sonia recalls Bill Clinton 'sizing up' women in India

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In short

Gandhi's memoir recounts personal interactions with prominent leaders, including former United States President Bill Clinton, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and members of the British royal family. The accounts describe social observations, such as Clinton's behavior at an official dinner and his tendency to dominate bilateral conversations regarding Kashmir. The book also details Sarkozy's manner toward Indian leadership and Princess Diana's demeanor during a 1992 trip. Specifically, Gandhi observed that Sarkozy addressed then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in an arrogant manner despite Singh's greater seniority and experience.

Key points

  • The memoir documents personal observations of Bill Clinton's social conduct and his bilat…: The memoir documents personal observations of Bill Clinton's social conduct and his bilateral approach toward Kashmir.
  • Nicolas Sarkozy demonstrated an arrogant demeanor when speaking with the more experienced…: Nicolas Sarkozy demonstrated an arrogant demeanor when speaking with the more experienced Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
  • Sonia Gandhi noted visible signs of marital strain between Prince Charles and Princess Di…: Sonia Gandhi noted visible signs of marital strain between Prince Charles and Princess Diana during their 1992 tour.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

New Delhi: The Monica Lewinsky scandal had subsided when Bill Clinton came to India in 2000 but "old habits die hard", says Sonia Gandhi in her memoir, recalling the then US president every now and then "surreptitiously sizing up the more striking women" at a reception. The Clinton anecdote is among the many interactions with world leaders, including Princess Diana and Nicolas Sarkozy, Gandhi has recounted in her just released book "Belonging: A Journey Of Love".

She talks at length about a reception then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee hosted in Clinton's honour.

"President Bill Clinton was staying at the Sheraton hotel with his daughter, Chelsea, and his delegation in 2000 when I called on him with our foreign minister. Friendly, informal, and exuding confidence, he appeared more keen to give us his own views and predictions about Kashmir- 'a nuclear flashpoint', in his words, 'one of the most dangerous places on earth'--than to pay attention to our point of view," she says in the book.

"The Monica Lewinsky scandal had subsided a little by then, but old habits die…

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