Speaking Of Asia

India's farm Acts and ghosts of a monogrammed Modi suit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces a challenge with his farm sector reforms

ST ILLUSTRATION: MIEL
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In January 2015, seven months into his premiership, India's usually sure-footed leader made an uncharacteristic misstep when he appeared alongside then US President Barack Obama in an elegant dark suit whose stripes in gold lettering were embroidered with his own name, Narendra Damodardas Modi.

Mr Obama was in New Delhi as guest of honour at India's Republic Day, the biggest public event in the Indian national calendar, when the country shows off its best.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 24, 2020, with the headline India's farm Acts and ghosts of a monogrammed Modi suit. Subscribe