PIX: PM gives up 'band-gala', dons Indonesian shirt in Bali

Image: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur pose for a photo with Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Kristiani Yudhoyono before the East Asia Summit gala dinner in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday.
Photographs: Romeo Ranoco/Reuters

Leaders of East Asian nations and those of their dialogue partners turned up at a customary summit dinner in colourful local dresses, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wearing an ethnic maroon shirt, marking a break from his usual kurta-pajama and band-gala suit look.

The leaders assembled for the gala dinner hosted for them by Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, exchanged pleasantries and also posed for pictures.

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World leaders dress the Indonesian way in Bali

Image: US President Barack Obama poses with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao before the East Asia Summit gala dinner at Nusa Dua in Bali
Photographs: Reuters

Singh was wearing a maroon ethnic designed shirt, and United States President Barack Obama turned up in a green shirt while Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao came wearing red, the colour of Communist China.

The colourful gathering marked a revival of the tradition of heads of states at the Asian summit wearing traditional shirts made of tenun ikat, a traditional fabric woven from dyed threads.

World leaders dress the Indonesian way in Bali

Image: Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Ani Yudhoyono, Korean President Lee Myung-bak; (2nd row, L-R) US President Barack Obama, Japan Prime Minister Dung, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, and Laos' Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong walk during dinner at the East Asia Summit gala dinner in Nusa Dua.
Photographs: Reuters

Singh's maroon shirt that did not gel too well with his blue turban, was an unusual change for the leader who is always seen at such gatherings in his trademark 'band-gala suits'.

Obama, who looked relaxed and jovial in his green went up to Gursharan Kaur, hours after he had met Singh, and exchanged pleasantries with her.

World leaders dress the Indonesian way in Bali

Image: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is greeted by Indonesian president
Photographs: Reuters

Obama was also seen talking to Wen. Yudhoyono, who was clad in purple said that Bali had "an amazing way to cure jetlag and rejuvenate strength".

World leaders dress the Indonesian way in Bali

Image: US President Obama, flanked by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, poses with other East Asia Summit leaders before a gala dinner in Bali
Photographs: Larry Downing/Reuters

"Tonight our business is everything but official," Yudhoyono said. The leaders from 18 countries also posed for pictures and were seen enjoying themselves.

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