Sonia Gandhi recalls how her love story with Rajiv Gandhi began in Cambridge in 1965.(Img: IANS)
New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has revisited the story of how she first met Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge in 1965, sharing personal memories of their early romance in her debut post on X ahead of the release of her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, on November 10.
In a video shared online, Sonia Gandhi revisited the early days of their relationship, which began at The Varsity, a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge. The video also features old photographs and personal recollections, offering a glimpse into their life together ahead of the release of her forthcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, on November 10.
“ In a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge, my journey of love began. Rajiv and I created a world filled with love, laughter and memories. On 10th November, I share that world with you,” she said in the video.
Recalling their first meeting, Sonia Gandhi spoke about the circumstances that brought them together. She explained that finding good food in England was not easy at the time, as restaurants were relatively limited. Her search eventually led her to a Greek restaurant popular among Indian and Italian students.
It was at this restaurant that a mutual friend introduced her to Rajiv Gandhi. The introduction soon developed into a friendship, with the two beginning to attend social gatherings and parties with their common circle of friends.
Sonia Gandhi said she felt an immediate connection with him and sensed that he was someone she would want to spend her life with. She later discovered that the feeling was mutual.
Speaking about what first attracted her to Rajiv Gandhi, she recalled his appearance as well as his gentle personality.
“Of course he was very good-looking,” she said, adding that his gentle demeanour was what particularly stood out to her.
She explained that his kindness and calm nature made a lasting impression from the very beginning, describing their first meeting as a memory she would always cherish.
In a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge my journey of love began.
Rajiv and I created a world filled with love, laughter and memories. On 10th November, I share that world with you. https://t.co/zvN5Rqqstf
— Sonia Gandhi (@SoniaGandhi) October 24, 2026
The video marks Sonia Gandhi's first post on X. A day earlier, she had also made her debut on Instagram, where she introduced her upcoming memoir and shared its first look with followers.
In her introductory Instagram post, she described the book as a story about love, duty, loss and the search for a sense of belonging. She also expressed gratitude at being able to share the first glimpse of the memoir with readers.
The accompanying video showed Sonia Gandhi receiving the first copies of the book and celebrating the occasion with her daughter, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The two were seen exchanging a warm embrace and sharing sweets.
Titled Belonging: A Journey of Love, the memoir is scheduled to be published on November 10, with pre-orders already open. Alfred A. Knopf is publishing the book internationally while HarperCollins India will oversee its release in India.
The 544-page memoir traces Sonia Gandhi's life from her childhood in post-war Italy to her meeting and eventual marriage to Rajiv Gandhi. It also reflects on the personal losses that shaped her life, including the assassinations of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and examines her later journey in Indian public life and politics.
