The 2008 Beijing Olympic was a grand platform of China’s global power-demonstration, where the world was watching the confluence of sports and diplomacy. But at the center of this international dazzle, the presence of two most influential political families in South Asia was writing a untold but important chapter.
On the one hand, Sonia Gandhi, the then president of the Indian National Congress, was present with her children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. On the other hand, the team of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, president of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), was also in the Chinese capital, including his sisters Bakhtawar and Asifa as well as senior leaders like Jahangir Badar and Rahman Malik.
According to reports, the two delegations were present in Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC). During this time, there was a brief meeting of about 30 minutes between the two influential families. Sonia Gandhi expressed her condolences to Bhutto siblings, whose mother Benazir Bhutto was murdered the same year.
Rahman Malik described the meeting as warm and personal and clarified that there was no political discussion in it. The center of the meeting was a symbol of shared grief, family memories and goodwill.
Media reports claimed that the Indian National Congress (INC) signed a Memorandum (MOU) with the Chinese Communist Party (CPC). Under the agreement, consultation on political and international affairs was allegedly allowed. Although detailed information of the agreement was not made public, it remains the subject of political interest. In addition, reports show that the Pakistan People’s Party also signed a similar agreement with CPC in the same year, but its formal details are still not clear.
After more than 18 years, a picture of Sonia Gandhi and Bhutto siblings meeting has gone viral on social media, which has caused a fresh debate. This picture has raised new questions on the nature and implications of informal meetings in view of sensitive relations between India and Pakistan.
Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka had meeting with Bhuttos at Beijing in 2008.
Neither of them were Prime Minister or any Minister in Govt.
Why did they meet?
So much love and bonding? pic.twitter.com/OGl4nRMgTo
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) May 21, 2025
The meeting took place in Beijing at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party, which included members of influential political families of the two countries. Now people are demanding to clarify the purpose and context of this meeting with the Congress party. There is no formal response from the Congress yet, but the picture has focused on possible political implications and secret conversations as this picture goes viral.
Now the Congress should clarify the nature of these symbolic gestures, which have significant importance in today’s political environment.