A cascade of flowers has welcomed Anthony Albanese to India during an exuberant Hindu festival that saw the prime minister covered in petals while surrounded by dancers and musicians.
The prime minister called his return to India, a country he first visited as a backpacker, one of the “honours of my life” while celebrating the Holi festival with political leaders in the northern city of Ahmedabad.
Albanese began his official visit with a stop at the Sabarmati ashram where Mahatma Gandhi once lived, a place visited by thousands today.
With Australian exports to India worth more than $24 billion, according to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, this week’s visit is seen as a way to accelerate a larger trade agreement between the two countries.
The solemn start to the visit was followed by the colour and energy of the Holi celebrations, where Albanese was the guest of the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat. Albanese watched the events alongside the Australian High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell, while dancers and musicians performed songs from Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Like others at the Holi festival, which ends with people throwing coloured powder over each other, Albanese was daubed with red on his forehead and cheeks.
As the music reached a crescendo, some of the dancers threw golden marigold petals over Albanese and O’Farrell as well as the Indian political leaders.
With a plentiful supply of flowers at hand, Albanese cheerfully tossed marigolds over the people around him – including some of his staff – while being covered in petals himself.
When his time came to speak to the political leaders and others, Albanese praised the “magnificent nation of India” and reminisced about his journey as a backpacker.
Read More at https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-covered-in-petals-as-he-seeks-to-strengthen-trade-deal-with-india-20230309-p5cql6.html