Canadian PM on India visit to boost ties
CANADIAN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accompanied by his family, has begun his India tour with a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal, an Indian emperor’s monument to love.
Trudeau arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for a week-long visit aimed at strengthening economic and political relations between the two countries.
The prime minister and his wife Sophie Gregoire and three children, Xavier, EllaGrace and Hadrien, Trudeau travelled to the Taj Mahal yesterday.
The family took in the views for about an hour.
Trudeau said the visit to “one of the most beautiful places in the world” was special.
He told reporters he visited the Taj Mahal 35 years ago, when he went to India with his father, Pierre Trudeau, the former Canadian premier. He was 11 years old at the time.
“For me to be able to be here on an official trip while bringing my kids with me to share this is really special,” he said.
The Taj Mahal, crafted in marble, is India’s most famous tourist attraction which draws tens of thousands of tourists every year.
It was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favourite queen, Mumtaz Mahal.
The aim of his tour is to expand bilateral ties with a focus on trade and investment, energy, defence and security as well as tackling climate change.
Before of his visit, Trudeau said he hoped to boost job opportunities and strengthen “the deep connection” between the people of the two countries.
Canada is home to more than 1.2million people of Indian heritage and India is the country’s second largest source of immigrants.
Trudeau is scheduled to hold talks with Premier Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday. – dpa/African news Agency (ANA)