As part of the program of stay in India, the delegation of the BRICS+ Association of Cities and Municipalities visited the city of Agra – one of the most famous tourist centers in the country, home to the globally recognized architectural monument, the Taj Mahal. The meeting with the Mayor of the Agra Municipal Corporation, Ms. Hemlata Diwakar Kushwaha, became an important event during the visit, demonstrating the sincere hospitality of the Indian side and openness to the development of inter-municipal relations.
At the entrance to the city hall, the delegation was greeted with a vibrant and lively reception, featuring traditional Indian drums, a Rangoli design (a traditional Indian art form), and the application of a traditional red tilak on the forehead of each participant. The Indian side thus emphasized the significance of the visit and its attitude towards the development of partner relations with the participating cities of the association.
In her welcoming address, the Mayor of Agra, Ms. Hemlata Diwakar Kushwaha, expressed sincere gratitude to the delegation members for their journey and noted the importance of strengthening ties between the cities of BRICS countries. She noted that Agra, as a city with a rich historical heritage and well-developed tourism infrastructure, is open to cooperation and the exchange of experience. Ms. Kushwaha expressed her hope for the continued development of partnership relations and the implementation of joint projects that would contribute to deepening friendship among nations.
In his response, the Mayor of Krasnodar (Russia), Mr. Evgeny Naumov, thanked Ms. Kushwaha for the gracious and warm reception extended to the delegation. He noted that the warmth and openness with which the Indian side welcomed the guests are the best confirmation that inter-municipal cooperation of BRICS countries is built on mutual respect and genuine interest in each other.
The visit to Agra and the meeting with the Mayor confirmed that inter-municipal cooperation within the framework of the BRICS+ Association of Cities and Municipalities is becoming the foundation for building long-term partner relations based on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and a shared commitment to joint development.
