Sonia Gandhi Memoir reveals her journey from Italy to Indian politics, her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, family tragedies and views on Indian democracy.
Qalam Times News Network
NEW DELHI, November 7, 2026
Sonia Gandhi’s journey from a small Italian town to the centre of Indian politics is a story of love, tragedy and political responsibility. In a rare interview, the veteran Congress leader reflects on her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, her reluctant entry into politics and her views on India’s democracy.
The Sonia Gandhi Memoir, titled Belonging, offers personal insights into the experiences that shaped her life. She recalls meeting Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge during the 1960s, falling in love with him and eventually moving to India in 1968.
Sonia Gandhi : From Family Tragedies to Political Leadership
Sonia describes her memories of Indira Gandhi, including the pressures she faced as Prime Minister and the controversial Emergency of 1975. She acknowledges that the Emergency was a mistake and recalls the devastating assassination of Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.
Seven years later, Sonia suffered another personal tragedy when Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bombing in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991. His death eventually brought Sonia closer to active politics.
Despite initially avoiding public life, she became Congress president in 1998. Under her leadership, the Congress-led alliance won the 2004 general election. She subsequently declined the prime ministerial position, paving the way for Manmohan Singh.
In the interview, Sonia also criticises Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, expressing concerns about parliamentary democracy, institutional independence and political freedom. These remarks reflect her political assessment of the country’s current situation.
She also discusses difficulties surrounding the publication of her memoir, including reported disagreements with its original publisher, Penguin Random House India. The publisher has disputed her account of the circumstances.
Sonia’s reflections offer a personal perspective on decades of Indian political history, revealing how love, family tragedies and unexpected responsibilities transformed her from a private individual into one of India’s most influential political figures.
