US Ambassador Sergio Gor's Taj Mahal Photo Sparks Discussion On VIP Access To Tourist Spots

The VIP access system in India has long been a topic of debate, especially when it comes to popular tourist spots like the Taj Mahal. You've got people paying top dollar for a quick glimpse of the monument, while others wait in line for hours. Recently, US Ambassador Sergio Gor's visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra reignited the row. Gor on X shared a photo of himself, sitting on a bench in front of the Taj Mahal. In the caption, he wrote, "Few places on earth match the beauty of the Taj Mahal. Almost 15 years ago, I visited the same spot with my parents, wonderful to be back!"  

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Few places on earth match the beauty of the Taj Mahal. Almost 15 years ago I visited the same spot with my parents, wonderful to be back! pic.twitter.com/Ukty1PQrBF

— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 22, 2026

Internet users noticed the unusual emptiness in the picture at a peak weekend hour and questioned if the area was cleared for him. Many questioned the preferential treatment given to world leaders and why public sites are closed for VIPs. 

One user wrote, "Not a single tourist in the background. Looks like they cleared the entire area so that their White Master could click this photo." 

Not a single tourist in the background.

Looks like they cleared entire area so that their White Master could click this photo. https://t.co/t25mltyBI0

— chasing_highs (@chasing_highs) February 23, 2026

Another added, "The AI Summit was evacuated and cleared so a reel could be made on one man's visit. The Taj has been closed for public on a Sunday for one man's photo."

The AI Summit was evacuated and cleared so a reel could be made on one man's visit. The Taj has been closed for public on a Sunday for one man's photo. https://t.co/VqurgN6cKW

— Rants&Roasts (@Sydusm) February 23, 2026

Someone else asked, "Have you ever seen the Statue of Liberty emptied like this for an Indian ambassador's visit?

Have you ever seen the Statue of Liberty emptied like this for an Indian ambassador's visit? https://t.co/cqV1tfygnC

— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) February 23, 2026

"Viceroy saar had the place all to himself like predecessors Lords Curzon and Dalhousie," read a comment. 

Viceroy saar had the place all to himself like predecessors Lords Curzon and Dalhousie. https://t.co/AQXUpesns7

— Traveling Salesman (@def__init__e) February 22, 2026

A person remarked, "India is now like a US colony. The entire Taj Mahal vacated for His Highness' visit." 

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India is now like a US colony. Entire Taj Mahal vacated for His Highness' visit

— ராம்ராஜ் RamRaj (@RajRam63927) February 23, 2026

A user shared, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself that you had the entire area emptied out for your visit? Why are you behaving like a viceroy?" 

Aren't you ashamed of yourself that you had the entire area emptied out for your visit?
Why are you behaving like a viceroy?

— Supergirl (@ichandigarh) February 23, 2026

Another added, "For your visit, you got the whole Taj Mahal vacated. So much in the name of Security. Can't see anyone nearby or in the background. Absolutely empty." 

The iconic Taj Mahal has been a mesmerising spectacle since its construction. The monument attracts millions of visitors each year, making it one of India's most visited tourist attractions.