Bill Gates thanks Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant for 'excuse' to meet with old friends

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, over the weekend, made headlines as he graced the pre-wedding festivities of Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar.

Amidst the opulent celebrations spanning three days, the tech titan wrapped up his extravagant weekend with a post on Instagram where he shared a photo of himself, adorned in traditional Indian attire.

In the picture, Gates was accompanied by his partner, Paula Hurd and the founders of Indian multinational information technology company, Infosys Rohini and Nandan Nilekani, whom he referred to as "old friends".

Taking to Instagram, Gates expressed gratitude to the soon-to-be-wed couple for the warm hospitality and the opportunity to reconnect with long-time acquaintances.

"This was my first time attending a wedding celebration in India, and it was incredible," he wrote on Instagram. "Congratulations, Anant and Radhika. Thank you for having us and giving us an excuse to catch up with old friends."

Garnering over 130k likes within a short span, Gates' post underscored the global intrigue surrounding the grand affair.

Hosted by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his philanthropist wife Nita Ambani, the pre-wedding extravaganza served as a rendezvous for distinguished guests from across India and beyond.

From business moguls to entertainment luminaries, the guest list featured stars, including pop icon Rihanna gracing the occasion with a memorable performance.

Beyond the festivities, Gates seized the opportunity to explore India's cultural tapestry, embarking on a brief tour that included a visit to the iconic Statue of Unity and famous Indian tea vendor, Dolly Chaiwala.