With many world leaders in non-marital partnerships, protocol had to change

When it comes to changing the stiff and arcane rules regarding First Couples, it is befitting that the catalyst is the president of a country that is synonymous with love: France. India refused to countenance former French president Nicolas Sarkozy bringing his glamorous amour Carla Bruni till she became Mme Sarkozy and also reportedly frowned on Australia’s ‘First Bloke’ Tim Mathieson coming with Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Considering they are arriving in India on Valentine’s Day, it is very appropriate, therefore, that India has eased up for the current French President François Hollande, and conferred ‘honorary wife’ status to his partner Valerie Trierweiler. Luckily, the couple will not be within jeering range of groups in India who are allergic to non-married pairs. The personal lives of France’s couple is complicated enough as it is — both have had multiple relationships — so the Indian government’s decision is commendably practical, particularly since more and more world leaders are now in what some call unconventional relationships.

The US, with its emphasis on stereotypical families for the White House, is probably the last country that still sets great store by conventional couples in high office. After all, even the fiercely independent Hillary Rodham became Clinton when her husband ran for re-election as Arkansas governor and then headed for the White House. By contrast, India’s own approach is very pragmatic. The marital status of our leaders, national and regional, generally has no bearing on their electability, and nor is there too much focus on the spouses as entities. Unless, of course, the leaders pass away or have to bow out due to political exigencies. Then the spouses — or even ‘significant others’ — come into the picture.