NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sartorial diplomacy is all set to be unveiled on October 29, with the raw silk waistcoat and kurta ready and awaiting the heads of states at the third India Africa Forum Summit.
Wrapped in plastic, the waistcoats and kurtas were labelled according to the names of the countries, before they were handed over to MEA officials in charge of various five-star hotels on Monday. The sleeveless waistcoat over kurta has, of course, become known as the patented style of Modi, who is known to be scrupulous about his personal appearance.
"We are taking this batch as all the heads of states are staying in our hotel," said an MEA official at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, MEA's second headquarter, as he gingerly handled the dresses. All the dresses were made as per measurements given by the various countries and manufactured by Indian fashion label, Biba. Over 40 countries have so far, confirmed that their delegation would be led by a head of state or government.
The sleeveless jackets and the kurtas were designed in contrasting, but complementary, colours. For example, the Kenyan leader will get to wear a beige coloured waistcoat, over a pink-patterned long kurta. In the pocket of the waistcoat, there will be a matching handkerchief for a touch of colour.
Salva Kiir, the stetson-wearing president of South Sudan, gets a blue kurta with a light yellow jacket. His northern neighbour, Sudan president Omar Al-Bashir, usually seen in traditional white costume, will be resplendent in a red waistcoat over a light green kurta.
These Modi jackets and kurtas will be worn at the dinner hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee for all the leaders on October 29.