Symbolising India's resolve to fight terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday paid tributes at the 9/11 memorial where the twin towers of World Trade Centre, destroyed by Sep 11, 2001 terrorist attack, once stood.
Dressed in a half-sleeve white Modi kurta and churidars and a grey shawl thrown on his left shoulder, Modi walked to the grey granite memorial site, also known as Ground Zero, and stood solemnly before it with folded hands.
He then placed, one by one, nine yellow roses on the memorial slabs around the twin memorial pools with names of nine Indian-Americans victims etched on them among over 3,000 victims of the attack.
Besides the names of every person who died in the 9/11 terrorist attack, names of the six victims of Feb 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing are also inscribed on the memorial.
After that Modi visited the 9/11 Museum which includes a memorial exhibition dedicated to commemorating the unique life of each victim.
Modi's visit to the 9/11 memorial is seen as symbolic of India's resolve to fight terrorism of which it has been a major victim.
The Indian Ambassador to US S. Jaishankar and other officials were with Modi at the 9/11 Memorial.
Occupying eight of the 16 acres at the World Trade Center, the Memorial features two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers.
More than 400 trees surround the reflecting pools. Its design conveys a spirit of hope and renewal, and creates a contemplative space separate from the usual sights and sounds of a bustling metropolis, according to the memorial's website.
A small clearing in the grove, known as the Memorial Glade, designates a space for gatherings and special ceremonies.
