As IMF endorses India as bright spot in the otherwise gloomy world economy, its Managing Director Christine Lagarde literally added a personal endorsement of the country as she donned a bright Indian salwar suit at the start of a high-level conference today.
At the opening of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Government of India co-hosted conference to take stock of Asia's strong economic performance this evening, the French lawyer sported a smart, cherry-red salwar suit.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who was co-panelist at the kick-off event, commented on her liking of Indian cloths and food.
"As most of the friends present here can see (her) fondness for Indian clothes along with the fondness for Indian foods," he said.
"I am certain you will be quite comfortable in India for next couple of days," he added.
Lagarde has been regularly visiting India as head of IMF.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will tomorrow morning address the conference that is to take stock of Asia's strong economic performance, its increased resilience to shocks, and the region's ongoing economic policy challenges.
Lagarde, 60, wore a bracelet and a necklace to go with the suit.
"Advancing Asia: Investing for the Future will bring together senior officials, corporate executives, academics, and civil society representatives from more than 30 countries spanning Asia and the Pacific," IMF said in a statement.
Key topics to be discussed at the conference from March 11 to 13 will include the most effective drivers of growth, income inequality, demographic change, and gender, infrastructure investment, climate change, managing capital flows and financial inclusion.
A minister in the French government, Lagarde became the 11th Managing Director of the IMF on July 5, 2011, and the first woman to hold that position.
On February 19, 2016, the IMF Executive Board selected her to serve as IMF Managing Director for a second five-year term starting on July 5, 2016.
A former member of the French national team for synchronised swimming, Christine Lagarde is the mother of two sons, according to her profile on IMF website.
