Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed visited the iconic Taj Mahal on Tuesday, struggling to find the right words to describe the beauty of the 17th-century monument.
"It is tough to describe this mausoleum's beauty as words simply cannot do it justice. This mesmerizing intricacy and attention to detail is a testament to love and architectural excellence," Muizzu wrote in the visitors' book during his four-day bilateral visit to India.
Upon their arrival, President Muizzu was greeted warmly by Uttar Pradesh Minister Yogendra Upadhyay on behalf of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. At the Taj Mahal, they received a replica of the monument from Upadhyay and took photographs with the grand structure in the background.
The Taj Mahal was temporarily closed to the public from 8 AM to 10 AM due to the president's visit, according to an official from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
During this trip, Muizzu will also visit Agra and Mumbai on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Bengaluru on Wednesday before returning to Male on Thursday. The Taj Mahal, an architectural marvel located on the banks of the River Yamuna, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Earlier, President Muizzu held meetings with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior officials.
This visit marks Muizzu's inaugural bilateral trip to India from October 6-10, following an official invitation from President Murmu. Upon his arrival on Sunday, he was welcomed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kiriti Vardhan Singh.
India and the Maldives have agreed to collaborate on developing a modern commercial port at Thilafushi Island to alleviate congestion at the Male port and enhance cargo handling capacity. The leaders also discussed the potential for trans-shipment facilities and bunkering services as part of the Maldives Economic Gateway project at Ihavandhippolhu and Gaadhoo islands.
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