Congress party President and Chairman of India's ruling United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi (R) welcomes Indian president nominee Pratibha Patil, 72, at her residence in New Delhi on June 16, 2007. India's governing coalition chose a woman as its presidential candidate Thursday, setting the stage for her to become the country's first female president. The post is largely ceremonial, though the president is the supreme commander of the armed forces and has the power to declare a state of emergency in times of political crisis. (UPI Photo/Kamal Kishore)