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Beauty of Taj charms Putin

Sunil Jha in Agra

Russian President Vladimir V Putin was charmed by the ethereal beauty of the Taj Mahal when he took time off to visit the monument to love on Wednesday.

"It is beautiful. It's good," Putin said after his 50-minute stay at the monument. "I feel good. It's nice to be here," he said when asked by reporters for his impressions of the mausoleum.

"The Russians are proud of having a friend like India, with a rich cultural heritage," he wrote in the visitors' book. "India may and should be proud about its precious share of the world's culture and we in Russia are proud of having such a friend."

Putin, accompanied by his wife Lyudmila Putina, arrived at the Taj at 1435 IST. During his tour of the premises, he inquired about the inlay work and wanted to know why the black marble Taj which Shahjahan was rumoured to have planned was not built.

Putin took a round of the monument and also went down to the crypt, which was specially opened for him. He also wanted to know why Aurangzeb had imprisoned Shahjahan. Interpreter Ravi Sharma, who had been a guide at the Taj for 30 years, explained the details.

Putina said: "You have a wonderful treasure in Agra and you must preserve it."

Putin, Putina and their 32-member delegation arrived in Agra by a special Ilyushin-96 plane. Later he left for Bombay where he will hold a meeting with the business community.

Putin also reiterated his country's commitment to longstanding friendship with India.

United States President Bill Clinton accompanied by daughter Chelsea had also visited the Taj during his visit to India in March this year.

UNI

The Putin visit: The full coverage

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