Desginer outfits, rock star reception all part of Modi’s historic U.S. visit

It is a rock ‘n’ roller’s dream to “sell out The Garden,” but for a foreign politician to pack New York City’s most famous sports and entertainment arena is another thing entirely. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first trip to New York as leader of the world’s most populous democracy, will draw perhaps the largest crowd ever by a foreign leader on U.S. soil when he takes the stage on Sunday in Madison Square Garden before a crowd forecast to total more than 18,000 people. Thousands more are expected to pack New York’s Times Square to watch his address in Hindi on big screens as well as smaller viewing parties around the country and on TV in India. The Indian diaspora hopes this visit by a leader who was until recently barred from the United States will signify India’s importance not only on these shores but in wider the world too.

People are passionate to see the new leader. Indian citizens and diaspora over the world are hopeful that this (Modi) administration will cut bureaucracy and focus on people.

Dr. Dinesh Patel, chief of arthroscopic surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston

Modi is pulling out all the fashion stops for his upcoming visit to the United States, hiring a top Mumbai designer to create outfits that will sell his vision of a newly confident, aspirational India. Modi, 64, has taken Indian political dress to a new level with his fastidious style, favouring crisp, half-sleeved linen, khadi or silk kurtas — shirts — and churidar pyjamas he pairs with tailored Nehru jackets. The move to hire Troy Costa, who designs for Bollywood stars, has given rise to speculation Modi might adopt a more sober suit and tie for his US visit. Modi’s White House welcome will be a remarkable transformation for a man once refused a US visa, after being accused of failing to stop 2002 riots by Hindu extremists against minority Muslims when he was chief minister of Gujarat state. Modi has always denied any wrong-doing.

(Modi has a) keen eye for what makes him look good. It’s clear details matter to Mr Modi, from his designer eyewear, to his watch, to his waistcoat — every part of his image counts.

GQ India editor Che Kurrien

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