Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for wearing the Aronai — a traditional Bodo handwoven stole — during his visit to Indonesia, calling it 'a proud moment' for Assam and its cultural heritage.

Context

In a post on X, CM Sarma wrote that Modi has been 'carrying a piece of Assam wherever he goes,' noting that over the past 12 years the Prime Minister has 'consistently taken Assam's rich cultural icons to the global arena, giving our heritage the recognition they truly deserve.' The Aronai is a handwoven textile integral to the identity of the Bodo community, one of Assam's largest indigenous groups, and is typically draped across the shoulders as a mark of honour and cultural pride.

The gesture came during Modi's visit to Indonesia, an ASEAN member nation with which India maintains strategic and cultural ties through bilateral summits and people-to-people exchanges.

Policy Backdrop

The display of Northeast Indian attire on international platforms is consistent with a decade-long diplomatic practice that gained formal momentum under India's Act East Policy, announced in 2014. The policy elevated cultural diplomacy with Southeast Asia and encouraged the showcasing of Northeast India's diverse heritage at bilateral and multilateral forums.

During India's G20 presidency in 2023, PM Modi wore traditional garments from multiple Indian states to highlight the country's regional diversity on the global stage. The Aronai's appearance in Indonesia follows that established pattern, positioning tribal heritage as a visible marker of India's plural identity in ASEAN engagements.

Stakeholders and Impact

Bodo weavers and artisan communities across Assam stand to benefit from the heightened international visibility that such moments generate. When a high-profile state visit features a handcrafted regional textile, it draws attention to the craftspersons behind it and can stimulate demand for authentic products both domestically and abroad.

For the broader Northeast region, the symbolism carries political weight: it signals inclusion of communities that have historically sought greater recognition within the national mainstream. CM Sarma, as convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), has consistently championed the region's cultural and political profile at the national level.

What's Next

Upcoming ASEAN-India summits and bilateral visits will be watched for similar cultural gestures, particularly as India deepens its connectivity and trade agenda with Southeast Asia. Advocates for Northeast artisans are likely to use the moment to push for stronger GI (Geographical Indication) tagging and export promotion for Bodo textiles including the Aronai.

The episode underscores how cultural diplomacy, when anchored in specific regional identities, can serve both soft-power objectives and the economic interests of indigenous craft communities — a dynamic that is expected to remain central to India's Act East engagements in the years ahead.