Trudeau takes in the Taj Mahal
Canadian PM on India visit to boost economic, political 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.
Along with his wife Sophie Gregoire and three children, Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien, Trudeau travelled to the Taj Mahal yesterday.
The family posed for photographs with the Taj Mahal in the background and took in the views for about an hour.
Trudeau’s youngest son, Hadrien, captured the attention of the local media, as he ran into the arms of his father who affectionately threw him into the air and caught him.
Trudeau said the visit to “one of the most beautiful places in the world” was special.
He told reporters he visited the Taj Mahal when he was 11, 35 years ago, when he went to India with his father, Pierre Trudeau, the former Canadian premier.
“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 stunning white building, 250km south of Delhi, was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favourite queen, Mumtaz Mahal.
The Taj Mahal, crafted in marble, is India’s most famous tourist attraction which draws tens of thousands of tourists every year.
Trudeau visited a wildlife sanctuary in the region later yesterday, media reports said.
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.
Ahead 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 1.2 million people of Indian heritage and India is the country’s second largest source of immigrants.
The tour – which includes stops in cities such as Amritsar, Ahmedabad, the financial hub of Mumbai and New Delhi – will see Trudeau connecting with leaders in government and business.
He is scheduled to hold talks with Premier Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday.