Wonderful to be in India: Angelina Jolie

Nov 5, 2006, 13:32 GMT

United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Goodwill Ambassador US actress Angelina Jolie addresses the media after a meeting with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma, in New Delhi, India on Sunday, 05 November 2006. Jolie is on a two-day visit to New Delhi. EPA/MONEY SHARMA

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) Hollywood diva Angelina Jolie Sunday praised India for welcoming refugees from all over the world and said it was 'wonderful coming to India'.

In her capacity as a UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees goodwill) ambassador, Angelina said: 'It is wonderful coming to India. In spite of India's problems, it is receiving refugees from all over the world.'

'The work done by India is commendable,' the Oscar-winning star of 'Girl Interrupted' told reporters after a 45-minute meeting with Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma.

Angelina, the better half of Hollywood first couple Brangelina, also discussed Mahatma Gandhi's ideas on peace and non-violence and also about Indian traditions.

Clad in a black skirt and green stole, she said: 'It is an honour to be here.'

The minister said: 'We are happy to receive Jolie. We had a detailed discussion on refugees' plight all over the world and also on conflicts in different parts of the world.'

'We appreciate her work in Sudan and Cambodia. We also discussed how we can help them,' said Sharma.

Angelina, who arrived here Saturday, visited refugee camps coordinated by the Khalsa Diwan Welfare Society and the UNHCR, meeting 9,500 Afghan Sikh refugees.

She was accompanied by her adopted son Maddox, five, on her Delhi trip. Brad Pitt, the father of Angelina's five-month-old daughter Shiloh, did not come with her.

The couple came to Pune to shoot 'A Mighty Heart' - a film based on the life of slain Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl.

© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service