Agra, January 16:  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara visited the iconic Taj Mahal  on Tuesday afternoon and admired its grandeur and beauty. The Israeli premier and his wife were received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Agra. Security has been beefed up across Agra on account of Netanyahu’s arrival. The historic Taj Mahal has been closed today for the general public by the Agra administration.

Netanyahu, who is on a six-day visit to India, is also accompanied by a 130-member delegation from various sectors, including cyber, agriculture and defence. On Monday, Netanyahu held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Both the leaders inked nine pacts in various on subjects including cybersecurity, film production, air transport, hydrocarbons and homoeopathic research, there was no major show-stopping agreement. Despite this, several India media channels referred to these as “historic agreements signed during a historic visit”.

According to PTI reports, Gujarat is set to roll out the red carpet for Netanyahu when he arrives in the state on Wednesday along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both the leaders will hold a roadshow. The roadshow is believed to cover a journey of eight kilometres - from the city airport and end at the Sabarmati Ashram. Reports further inform that around 50 stages will be erected on the roadside along the stretch and people from different states of the country will welcome Netanyahu.

On Monday, the two leaders attended a ceremony to mark the formal renaming of iconic Teen Murti Chowk as Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk. Netanyahu will also be visiting Gujarat and Mumbai, and will be accompanied by Prime Minister Modi on extensive portions of his visit. The Israeli Prime Minister’s visit marks the culmination of a year of celebrations to commemorate 25 years of diplomatic relations between India and Israel.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 16, 2018 04:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).