NSW Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey have paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, laying wreaths at the permanent memorial located within the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
The wreath-laying ceremony honoured the 31 people who lost their lives at the hotel during the attacks, as well as the many victims who were killed across Mumbai between 26 and 29 November 2008.
The attacks claimed 166 lives and injured more than 600 people. Two Australians, both from NSW, were among those killed.
The Premier, Mrs Minns and the Treasurer laid wreaths at the memorial before signing the memorial book in honour of those who lost their lives, their families and all those affected by the attacks.
The ceremony recognised the lives of Doug Markell, who was killed at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, and Brett Taylor, who died following the attacks at the Oberoi-Trident Hotel while participating in a NSW Government trade delegation visiting India.
The memorial has become an important place of remembrance for visitors from around the world.
The wreath-laying formed the start of the Mumbai leg of the NSW Government's official mission to India, focused on growing trade, investment, tourism and education links between NSW and India.
The Premier and Treasurer held talks with Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Group, two major Indian business groups with existing interests in Australia, to make the case for further investment and partnerships in NSW.
On Wednesday evening, the Premier and Treasurer brought together aviation, travel and other industry partners for a tourism roundtable and reception showcasing NSW.
The event focused on attracting more Indian visitors to NSW and growing connections across tourism, international education, culture and business.
The Mumbai program also highlighted the strong cultural connections between NSW and India. The Premier and Treasurer met members of the city's renowned Dabbawala network, a famous Mumbai lunchbox delivery system, known for collecting home-cooked meals and delivering them across the city each day.
The Treasurer and Mrs Minns also joined chef and founder of The Locavore Thomas Zacharias to explore the city's food culture. The Locavore uses food and storytelling to celebrate India's regional food traditions and has partnered with Sydney's Powerhouse on Setting the Table, a project exploring contemporary Indian food culture.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"Laying a wreath was an opportunity to pause and remember the innocent lives lost in the Mumbai attacks, including two men from New South Wales whose families continue to carry that loss."
"We honour Doug Markell, Brett Taylor and all those who were killed or affected by these tragic events.
"It was important that we began our day by paying our respects."
"We've also met some of India's major business groups and the message has been simple; we want them looking at NSW when they're deciding where to invest and grow.
"There are real opportunities here in technology, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, tourism and education, and NSW has a lot to offer in each of those areas."
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
"Standing at the memorial is a powerful reminder that what happened here in Mumbai was also felt deeply back home in NSW."
"Two NSW families lost loved ones in these attacks. It was important for us to come here, remember Doug Markell and Brett Taylor, and pay our respects to every family that still carries that loss.
"Nearly two decades later, the relationship between NSW and India is stronger than ever. India is ambitious, it's growing fast and it wants to do business.
"NSW has the skills, resources and expertise to be part of that growth, and that means more investment, more trade and more jobs back home."
