French President Francois Hollande’s famously controversial partner Valérie Trierweiler is set to accompany him on his one-day visit to New Delhi on February 14.
In a delicious sense of irony, the couple, which has the shadow of Mr Hollande’s former partner, Ségolène Royal, constantly lurking in the shadows, will be here on Valentine’s Day.
A well-known politician herself, Ms Royal, who took an unsuccessful shot at the presidency with Mr Holland by her side, was his partner for three decades and is the mother of his four children.
Nothing perhaps could better illustrate the deep rivalries and tensions between the two women as the tweet by Ms Trierweiler despite being the First Lady in which she rooted for Ms Royal’s rival in an election. Ms Trierweiler later apologised for this indiscretion.
In New Delhi, a red carpet welcome awaits Ms Trierweilier in keeping with the Indian tradition of hospitality, which believes in atithi devo bhava (a guest is akin to god), said sources.
Just as the Hollande-Trierweiler combination has become the first unmarried couple to occupy the presidential palace in Paris, it will be for the first time perhaps that New Delhi will be playing host to such a pair.
Back in 2008, there was the possibility of the then French President Nicholas Sarkozy being accompanied by his girlfriend (now wife) Carla Bruni to New Delhi. But he finally came without her.