Iran war injects fresh urgency into Modi’s ‘Wed in India’ campaign | CNN

Growing up in India, Shubhangi Seth had always imagined her dream wedding on the mesmerizing shores of Italy’s Lake Como, ringed by stunning alpine peaks and piercing blue water. It’s where celebrities like George and Amal Clooney as well as John Legend and Chrissy Teigen exchanged vows. But as the years passed, the Mumbai resident watered down her Lake Como fantasy, prioritizing traditions and culture instead. “I just want a very traditional, rooted wedding,” the 29-year-old told CNN. “We want to keep it in India.” These words might be music to Indian leader Narendra Modi who has renewed calls for citizens to take one for the team and avoid holding weddings abroad in the interest of culture – and the economy. “This trend of destination weddings abroad is growing rapidly,” Modi said at a recent rally. “But consider the fact that this entails a significant expenditure of foreign currency.” “When it comes to weddings, I do not believe there could be any place more beautiful or sacred for us than our own India.” Modi wants to conserve foreign exchange reserves to protect the rupee and act as a buffer from further economic shocks. Modi’s appeal is not new, b