Belonging: A Journey of Love | Why Sonia Gandhi held on to her Italian passport but visited her parents less often
In her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia Gandhi reflects on giving up her Italian citizenship and adopting India as her home. She says she formalised the decision as Rajiv Gandhi entered public life, describing the renunciation as an emotional farewell to a remaining part of her identity.
Congress party leader and former president Sonia Gandhi reveals in her memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," why she chose to retain her Italian passport while living in India. She cites the emotional connection to her Italian heritage and the simplicity of visiting her parents there without the need for extensive paperwork. Gandhi became an Indian citizen in 1983, around the same time as her husband Rajiv Gandhi rose to prominence.
She states that by that point, her life in India felt like her "unquestioned world," and she had fully adopted Indian customs, cuisine, and mindset. Denouncing her Italian citizenship was a significant moment, as she had carried that part of her identity to India. The process involved filling out paperwork and reading a declaration in front of an Italian ambassador, a decision she later describes as emotionally charged.
Written by urgent.news from Live Mint's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
