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.