Ex-Chile President receives Indira Gandhi Peace Prize from Sonia Gandhi: What the award means and why she was chosen

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet was honoured with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development on Wednesday. The award was presented by Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.

Senior leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and jury chairman Shiv Shankar Menon, were also present at the ceremony.

What Did Sonia Gandhi Highlight About Bachelet’s Journey?

Sonia Gandhi praised Bachelet’s extraordinary life, recalling the loss, oppression, torture and exile she faced during Chile’s dictatorship. Despite these hardships, Bachelet broke multiple barriers, becoming Chile and Latin America’s first woman Defence Minister and later serving two terms as Chile’s President.


Sonia Gandhi noted that Bachelet’s journey has always been rooted in a commitment to human rights, gender equality and inclusive development.

How Has Michelle Bachelet Shaped Global Leadership?

Beyond her national leadership, Bachelet has played a historic role in global institutions. She became the first Executive Director of UN Women in 2010 and later served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Sonia Gandhi said Bachelet’s work has consistently focused on expanding the rights of all people, particularly women. As President, she strengthened primary healthcare, pushed for better treatment of women in security forces, and targeted welfare reforms towards vulnerable sections, including survivors of sexual abuse.

What Were Bachelet’s Key Reforms in Chile?

Sonia Gandhi also highlighted Bachelet’s landmark reforms that transformed Chile’s social landscape:

• Far-reaching tax reforms that funded more inclusive pension schemes
• Expanded social protection for children and women
• Political quotas that significantly increased women’s participation in public life
• Legislations safeguarding equality and freedoms across Chilean society

These reforms are still regarded as some of Latin America’s most influential steps toward gender-just governance.

What Did Bachelet Say About India and Global Peace?

In her acceptance address, Bachelet praised India’s cultural richness, ancient knowledge systems, and the unique blend of tradition and modernity. She said that the world’s oldest civilisations have contributed immensely to science, philosophy and art.

She reflected on Indira Gandhi’s belief in harmony among nations, adding that in a world full of conflicts and crises, no country can solve global challenges alone.

Bachelet revealed that she was personally inspired by Indira Gandhi to join politics and work for people’s welfare. She said that peace, progress and dignity are inseparable, and called for renewed global cooperation.

Why Did Bachelet Stress on Multilateralism?

The former Chilean President strongly advocated for multilateralism, saying it is needed “more than ever” in today’s world. She emphasised the importance of nations working together every day across borders, generations and differences to build a more peaceful and humane future.