NEW DELHI : Her light fawn-colored jacket is being applauded, as is the delicate string of pearls. The lipstick, some say, is a trifle too dark but overall U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has impressed Indian clothing gurus with her flair for choosing the right attire on her whirlwind daylong tour of India on March 16.

While India’s foreign policy experts were closely examining her pronouncements, design pundits were admiring the woman who is so much more than just a politician with her instinctive sense of style, her talents as a pianist and her passion for football.

“The colors are perfect and bring out a sense of somber dignity, class and distinction,” said Hemant Sagar, who for decades ran the couture house Lecoanet Hemant with partner Didier Lecoanet before settling in India around three years ago. “Nothing is overdone, nothing is out of place. The clothes reflect power but not in an over the top manner. An explosive mix in French

dressing.”

Rice wore a black blouse with her fawn pantsuit during her meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh.

“Power dressing is far more subtle nowadays and this is a good reflection of that mood,” said fashion doyenne Ritu Kumar.

Rice, known for her diplomatic finesse and also for her Italian heels and subtle jewelry, drew applause for what many a designer called her innate elegance. “The fact that she is an academic and has a great deal of cultural knowledge reflects in her clothes,” said Sagar. “That sophistication comes naturally in everything that she does. Everything is understated and mature. Very elegant and French.”

Rice, who once posed for the Vogue in a black evening dress, carries her well-cut suits with as much conviction and appeal as her diplomatic arguments.

Earlier this year, Rice charmed Europe with her panache in speaking French, her music training and not least the pinched waists of her suits.

“The uniform of global diplomacy is changing,” said designer Rina Dhaka, “and Rice is a great example of that.”

Apparently due to the extremely tight security arrangements provided for the visiting dignitary –– she had two layers of security –– there was hardly any information on Rice’s food preferences.

Managers at the five-star Maurya Sheraton hotel here were tight-lipped on the suites booked by Rice and her entourage as well as the culinary spread.

A hotel employee at Maurya, however, said: “The secretary of state is not such a gourmet as (former U.S. president) Bill Clinton.” Clinton has visited India twice since 2000 –– once as president and once after he was out of power –– and has been known to savor choicest Indian dishes during each visit.