Sonia Gandhi recalls meeting former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at a Greek restaurant in Cambridge in the mid-1960s. Her memories of their first encounter and early romance feature in her upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, releasing November 10, 2026.
Sonia Gandhi remembers Rajiv not only for his looks but also for the gentleness that, she says, stood out from the beginning. (Credits: X/Sonia Gandhi)
New Delhi,Oct 24, 2026 12:32 IST
In a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge, England, a chance meeting set the course for a relationship that would shape Sonia Gandhi’s life.
Decades later, the Congress leader revisits that first encounter with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, recalling the instant attraction, the friendship that followed and the early days of their romance.
Her memories feature in the sneak-peek for her upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, which is scheduled for release on November 10, 2026.
“Rajiv and I created a world filled with love, laughter and memories. On 10th November, I share that world with you,” Sonia wrote on X accompanying the video.
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
‘I FELT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY’
In the video, Sonia recalls meeting Rajiv at the Varsity Restaurant, a Greek eatery popular with students from India and other parts of Europe. A mutual friend introduced them, bringing together two young students whose first meeting would eventually lead to marriage.
At the time, Sonia had been searching for places in England that served food closer to what she was accustomed to, particularly Italian cuisine. The restaurant became a familiar gathering place for students from different countries.
“Food in England was awful. In those days, you didn't have so many restaurants,” she says.
But the visit would leave her with a memory that extended well beyond the search for a familiar meal.
“When I first met him, I felt almost immediately that he was someone whom I would really love to be with. And of course, I learnt that it was the same for him,” Sonia recalls.
She remembers Rajiv not only for his looks but also for the gentleness that, she says, stood out from the beginning.
“He was a very gentle looking person. Of course, he was very good-looking, but that gentleness came through. So that was something that really touched me and struck me,” she says.
FROM FRIENDSHIP TO ROMANCE
Their relationship began with friendship. Sonia recalls the two spending time together at parties and while sightseeing, sharing the everyday experiences of student life in Cambridge. She also remembers attending a Valentine's Day party with other students.
The video revisits those early years through Sonia's recollections and archival photographs, offering a glimpse of a relationship that began far from the political spotlight that would later surround their lives.
Sonia and Rajiv married in 1968. Years later, Rajiv became India's prime minister, serving from 1984 to 1989. He was assassinated in May 1991 during an election campaign in Tamil Nadu.
SONIA GANDHI'S MEMOIR TO RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 10
Titled Belonging: A Journey of Love, the memoir is set to offer readers a more personal account of Sonia's life and her relationship with Rajiv.
The veteran politician also joined Instagram a few days ago where she shared more about her book, previously.
The sneak-peek centres on their meeting and early romance, framing the story through memories of companionship, affection and the life they built together.
Born in Italy, Sonia went on to become one of the Congress party's most prominent leaders.
While much of her public life has been defined by politics, the memoir's title and the latest sneak-peek point towards a more intimate narrative - one that returns to the beginning of her journey with Rajiv, in a small restaurant in Cambridge.
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