US VP Vance lauds Taj Mahal as "testament to true love"
He was welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the airport where the two briefly interacted with each other
US Vice-President J D Vance who visited the Taj Mahal on Wednesday along with his wife and three children was fascinated with the grandeur of the Mughal era architecture and lauded it as a “testament of true love.”
"The Taj Mahal is amazing. A testament to true love, human ingenuity and a tribute to the great country of India," Vance wrote in the visitor's diary after his visit.
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Welcomed by UP CM
The US Vice-President and his family landed in Agra airport from Jaipur on Wednesday amid elaborate security arrangements. He was welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the airport where the two briefly interacted with each other.
"A warm welcome to hon'ble US Vice President Mr JD Vance and his family to Uttar Pradesh, the sacred heartland of India, renowned for its timeless devotion, vibrant culture and spiritual legacy," Adityanath posted on X.
Vance, was accompanied by his wife Usha, and their three children -- sons Ewan and Vivek, and daughter Mirabel, is on a three-day visit to India.
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Elaborate decorations
Officials said that from the airport to the Taj Mahal, the route was lined with elaborate decorations, and hundreds of schoolchildren waved both the US flag and the Tricolour along the streets.
An official statement said that colourful 'rangolis', sand art and decorations graced the key roundabouts en route the Taj Mahal, creating a festive atmosphere. Large hoardings welcoming the Vance family were also put up at many places along the way.
Heavy security cover
Security was beefed up in view of the high-profile visit. The 12-km stretch from the airport to the Taj Mahal via Shilpgram was turned was put under heavy security cover. An official statement said security personnel including those from US were guarding the route. The US security personnel have been camping here for the past three days, the statement said as quoted by PTI.
The entire stretch was declared off limits for traffic for the movement of Vance's convoy, it added.
Officials said that Vance and his family returned to the airport after visiting the Taj Mahal where they spent around an hour.
The US Vice-President started his trip to India with his family with a visit to the Akshardham Temple in Delhi before meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter's residence in New Delhi.
With inputs from agencies