BRICS Delegates Explore Taj Mahal In Agra Despite Heavy Rain

Rainy skies could not keep a 65-member BRICS judicial delegation away from one of India’s most celebrated monuments as the group visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, following the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum in New Delhi.

The delegation, comprising Chief Justices, Presidents of Supreme Courts and senior judicial leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, spent around two hours at the iconic monument, taking in its architecture and learning about the history and cultural significance of the world-famous mausoleum.

Among the prominent judicial leaders participating in the forum were Russia’s Chief Justice Igor Krasnov, China’s Chief Justice Zhang Jun, Egypt’s Chief Justice Boulos Fahmy Iskander Boulos, Indonesia’s Chief Justice Sunarto, Iran’s Chief Justice Ayatollah Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i and South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal President Mahube Betty Molemela.

The delegation also included Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court President Luiz Edson Fachin, Ethiopia’s Federal Supreme Court President Tewodros Meheret Kebede and UAE Federal Supreme Court President Mohammed Hamad Al Badi Al Dhaheri. India was represented by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant.

Senior judicial leaders from BRICS partner countries were also part of the gathering, including Belarus Supreme Court Chairman Andrei Shved, Bolivia Supreme Court President Romer Saucedo Gomez, Kazakhstan Supreme Court Chairman Aslambek Mergaliyev, Malaysia Court of Appeal President Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Bin Jais, Thailand Court of Appeal President Muntharee Ujjin, Uganda Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and Uzbekistan Supreme Court Deputy Chairperson Malikakhon Kalandarova.

Officials said the delegates received a detailed briefing on the Taj Mahal’s history, architectural design and cultural significance during their visit. Despite the continuing rain, they also took part in a photo session at the monument.

District Information Officer Shailendra Sharma said the visiting judicial leaders and other delegates were warmly welcomed in Agra and escorted to the Taj Mahal under tight security arrangements.

The delegation reached Agra through the Yamuna Expressway before proceeding to the monument. Security was maintained throughout the visit as officials coordinated the movement of the international guests.

The Agra visit followed the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum in New Delhi, where judicial leaders discussed mediation and international commercial disputes, cross-border enforcement of arbitral awards, artificial intelligence and the judiciary, and judicial leadership and sustainable development. The forum also focused on strengthening judicial cooperation and exchanging legal and institutional practices among member and partner countries.

The rain added an unusual backdrop to the visit but did little to diminish the delegates’ experience of the monument. The visitors appreciated the beauty of the Taj Mahal, officials said.

The visit also offered the BRICS judicial leaders an opportunity to experience a landmark that represents a significant part of India’s architectural and cultural heritage.

With its white marble façade set against the rainy skies, the Taj Mahal provided a memorable setting for the delegation’s Agra stop, blending an important international judicial gathering with a glimpse of one of India’s most enduring symbols.