First Look: Sonia with Putin

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Russian President Vladimir Putin seen onboard the latter's boat as they arrive at the Constantine palace in Peterhof, former residence of the Russian tzars, on the Gulf of Finland outside St.Petersburg, 15 June 2005.

Sonia was welcomed to the Russian city of Saint Petersburg by President Vladimir Putin and the two held talks on strengthening cultural ties, a spokeswoman for Saint Petersburg's authorities said.

Sonia is now on a four-day visit to Russia on the invitation of Putin.

Photograph: VLADIMIR RODIONOV/AFP/Getty Images