'True treasure of the world': Marco Rubio hails Taj Mahal during visit with wife Jeanette
Agra, May 25
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday visited the iconic Taj Mahal along with his wife Jeanette Rubio and hailed the monument as one of the treasures of the world.
They spent around one and a half hours at the Taj Mahal and wrote in the visitors' book, "Thank you for allowing us to visit one of the true treasures of the World."
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also accompanied them during the visit.
The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, continues to attract high-profile global leaders and dignitaries visiting India.
Last year, US Vice President JD Vance visited the monument along with his wife, Usha Vance and their children Vivek, Mirabel and Ewan.
The Taj Mahal has also been visited by several other global leaders in the past, including former US President Donald Trump, who toured the monument during his first term as President, along with First Lady Melania Trump.
During his visit, Trump described the monument as a symbol of India's cultural richness, saying, "Taj Mahal inspires awe, a timeless testament to the rich and diverse beauty of Indian culture! Thank you, India."
According to the official website of the Taj Mahal, the monument is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, combining Persian, Indian and Islamic design elements. In 1983, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and described as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage."
Rubio's visit to Agra is part of his four-day trip to India, during which he is scheduled to participate in the Quad Summit on Tuesday.
He began his visit to India from the Missionaries of Charity at Kolkata, followed by meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then later holding delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Rubio also held discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
In a major diplomatic deployment matching this regional focus, India is gearing up to host the foreign ministers of the Quad nations in the national capital to deliberate on the evolving security matrix of the Indo-Pacific and the escalating friction points across West Asia. The high-level congregation of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue--bringing together India, the United States, Australia, and Japan--is locked in for May 26 under the chairmanship of External Affairs Minister Jaishankar.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Ah, the Taj Mahal—the one monument that even seasoned diplomats can't resist! Marco Rubio's visit with his wife feels like a nice personal touch amidst all the high-stakes Quad diplomacy. And the fact that he started his India trip with a visit to Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata shows a thoughtful side. Hope the Quad meeting tomorrow strengthens our partnership in the Indo-Pacific. 🙏
Great PR for India, but let's be real—the Taj is one of the most crowded tourist spots I've ever seen. I went last year and the queues were endless, and the Yamuna River behind it smells terrible. Rubio and his wife likely got the VIP treatment, but for the average Indian tourist, the experience is far less magical. Still, glad they appreciated it. Just wish we'd maintain it better for everyone.
The Quad Summit is the real story here, not the Taj visit. India hosting the US, Australia, and Japan is a big deal for our strategic position in the Indo-Pacific. Rubio's comments on the monument are nice, but I hope the discussions tomorrow focus on concrete outcomes—maritime security, technology sharing, and countering China's influence. The Taj can wait; the geopolitics can't.
As an Agra local, I can't help but smile when I see dignitaries marvel at our Taj Mahal. 😊 It's a living monument that connects centuries. But the article mentions previous visits by Trump and Vance—I still remember the security lockdowns that disrupted our daily lives! At least the city gets some global attention. Hope Rubio's visit brings some development funds for cleaning up the Yamuna.
J