India-Chile Presidential bonding thickens

From 'Your Excellency' to 'Dear Friend' -- the personal chemistry between President Pratibha Patil and her Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet changed within 24 hours.

From ‘Your Excellency’ to ‘Dear Friend’ — the personal chemistry between President Pratibha Patil and her Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet changed within 24 hours.

Bachelet, in her speech at a banquet hosted for Patil on April 21, addressed the visiting dignitary as ‘Your Excellency’ and within 24 hours she called her a ‘Dear Friend’ at the return banquet.

She narrated the quote of Rabindranath Tagore — “Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not. Thou hast given me seats in homes not my own. Thou hast brought the distant near and made a brother of the stranger” — to express admiration of Chile for India.

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In her speech, President Patil said “I am deeply touched by the affection and warmth with which my delegation and I have been received in this beautiful country.

“As two women Presidents, I believe we have established a close personal rapport and an empathy that is based on shared experiences, concerns and values,” she said.

Patil made no bones in appreciating the warmth received from Bachelet and said “your lovely and lively personality is impressive. I keenly look forward to receiving you in India next year on mutually convenient dates.”