Canadian PM Trudeau hails Taj as one of the most beautiful places
AGRA: It was a journey down the memory lane for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who visited the Taj Mahal on Sunday.
It was his second visit to the monument three decades after he came here with his father, who was then the prime minister of Canada.
“About 35 years ago, when I was 11 years, I came to India on an official trip with my father (former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau). I had come down from New Delhi to see the Taj Mahal,” recalled PM Trudeau.
Accompanied by his wife Sophie Gregoire and his three children – Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien, Trudeau reached the Taj Mahal at about 10.40 am and stayed there for over an hour.
Dressed in blue coat and brown trousers, the prime minister was accorded a traditional welcome by officials of Archaeological Survey of India.
“For me to be present on an official trip while bringing my kids with me to share this is really special,” added the Canadian PM.
Senior superintendent of ASI Bhuvan Vikram Singh and an official guide accompanied the family when they walked towards the main mausoleum. They viewed the graves of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal while entering the main mausoleum.
“Thank you for the wonderful visit to one of the most beautiful places in the world,” he wrote on the visitor’s book while walking out of the monument around 11.50 am.
“Taj Mahal gates were closed at 9.40 am for the VVIP’s visit and monument remained closed for public till the time VVIP left the monument,” informed Bhuvan Vikram Singh.
Braj Bhushan, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) commandant of the Taj Mahal unit in Agra, termed Trudeau’s visit as good and said that the Canadian leader and his family were accorded special police protection.
“They spent quality time at the Taj Mahal and were there for one hour,” said Bhushan.
The Canadian Prime Minister, who arrived in India on Saturday, is on a week-long state visit to the country.
› Thank you for the wonderful visit to one of the most beautiful places in the world. For me to be present on an official trip while bringing my kids with me to share this is really special
JUSTIN TRUDEAU, Prime Minister, Canada