
From 8216;Your Excellency8217; to 8216;Dear Friend8217; 8212; 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 8216;Your Excellency8217; and within 24 hours she called her a 8216;Dear Friend8217; at the return banquet.
She narrated the quote of Rabindranath Tagore 8212; 8220;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 stranger8221; 8212; to express admiration of Chile for India.
In her speech, President Patil said 8220;I am deeply touched by the affection and warmth with which my delegation and I have been received in this beautiful country.
8220;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,8221; she said.
Patil made no bones in appreciating the warmth received from Bachelet and said 8220;your lovely and lively personality is impressive. I keenly look forward to receiving you in India next year on mutually convenient dates.8221;