When Fidel Castro Gave A Bear Hug To A Surprised Indira Gandhi

New Delhi: Fidel Castro, the iconic Cuban revolutionary leader who died today, will be remembered in India for his close association with the Nehru-Gandhi family and especially his "sisterly" ties with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi - which he sealed with a bear hug during the Non-Aligned Summit in New Delhi in 1983.

At the inauguration of the Seventh Non-Aligned Summit in March 1983 at Vigyan Bhavan, that was attended by a record number of over 100 heads of state and government, Mr Castro, who headed the Cuban delegation, announced that, as host of the previous summit in Havana in 1979, he was happy and proud to pass the conference gavel to his "sister" Indira Gandhi. 

Both then rose from behind the podium, watched by several hundred delegates, that included observers of leading countries who were not members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and a huge assembly of mediapersons. 
 As both came to face each other, Ms Gandhi expectantly extended her arm to receive the big wooden gavel. But Mr Castro did not reciprocate. Mrs Gandhi, a trifle taken aback, extended her arm a second time, but Mr Castro again failed to respond but kept smiling mysteriously.

As a slightly embarrassed Mrs Gandhi proferred her hand a trifle hesitatingly a third time, the giant Castro pulled a surprised Mrs Gandhi to him and gave her a giant bear hug in full view of the hall, before parting with the gavel. 

The whole hall broke into huge applause, Mrs Gandhi was momentarily left flushed in the face, but the bear hug moment was recorded by all for posterity. 

That was Mr Castro's last visit to India.