Mumbai, India. President Nikos Christodoulides arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for a visit marked by ceremonial greetings, a wreath-laying at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel and the announcement of a Bollywood film to be shot in Cyprus.
Arrival in Mumbai
Christodoulides descended the stairs of a Cyprus Airways jet wearing a grey Nehru jacket, one of two jackets offered to him by Indian hosts ahead of the trip. The style of dress drew no attention from local photographers, for whom Nehru jackets are a common sight.
Cypriot journalists travelling with the president had been briefed in advance on the planned attire. Christodoulides had not been wearing a Nehru jacket when he departed Larnaca airport in the early hours of Wednesday.
A navy blue jacket was also provided for Thursday and Friday, while orange was another option offered by the Indian side. Christodoulides did not choose orange, but European Affairs Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna wore orange on Thursday.
Ceremonial welcome
After being greeted by dignitaries at the airport, Christodoulides travelled across Mumbai in an armed convoy on closed roads to the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. There, dance troupes performed inside and outside the main entrance, and guests entering the hotel were given scarves.
Wreath-laying and film announcement
Following the reception, Christodoulides laid a wreath at the monument to those who died in the 2008 terrorist attack at the hotel. The visit was then followed by the announcement of a Bollywood film to be shot in Cyprus.
Although readers noted that part of the 2013 film Race 2 was filmed on the island, the new production is set to be the first Bollywood film shot and produced entirely in Cyprus.