US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by his wife Jeanette Rubio and a 60-member delegation, visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Monday. The visit took place under tight security around the 17th-century monument, with the entourage spending nearly an hour at the site. Guide Nitin Singh provided a tour as the morning temperature soared to 40 degrees Celsius.
Rubio Praises Taj Mahal as 'Love Treasure'
Describing the Mughal-era structure, Rubio wrote in the visitor's book: "Thank you for allowing us to visit one of the love treasures of the world." The visit was part of his four-day trip to India.
Arrival and Security Measures
Rubio arrived at Agra airport in a special aircraft around 10 am and traveled by car to a hotel near the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal. He then proceeded to the monument in a golf cart. During his visit, traffic on the route was temporarily stopped to ensure security.
Welcome and Dignitaries
Upon arrival in Agra, Rubio was welcomed by District Magistrate Manish Bansal, Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, and Air Officer Commanding of Agra Airbase, Air Commodore Jaipal Singh Rajput. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also accompanied Rubio and joined the couple for a photograph at the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Under the intense heat, Rubio removed his tie from his navy-blue suit, while Jeanette wore a flowing dress with heels. Security was significantly tightened around the Taj Mahal during the high-profile visit. Visitors inside the monument complex were temporarily asked to move out, causing some inconvenience. However, ASI sources told TOI that the Taj Mahal was not formally closed during the visit.
Departure to Jaipur
After visiting the Taj Mahal, the entourage left for Jaipur, continuing their diplomatic engagements.
