Tom Cruise visits India's iconic Taj Mahal

Hollywood star Tom Cruise poses in front of the landmark Taj Mahal in Agra, India, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Cruise is in the country on a promotional tour of his new film "Mission: Impossible_ Ghost Protocol. 

NEW DELHI—Hollywood star Tom Cruise says his visit to India this week follows a lifelong desire to see the country.

He said while touring the iconic, white-marble Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra that he is "very excited" about being in the country for a fan screening of his latest action-thriller, "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol," days ahead of its world premiere on Wednesday.

Hollywood star Tom Cruise, center right, and co-star Anil Kapoor take a tour of the
landmark Taj Mahal in Agra, India, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.

Cruise joins Bollywood star Anil Kapoor for the red-carpet screening Sunday in Mumbai. The film sees Cruise reprise his role as secret agent Ethan Hunt, while Kapoor plays an Indian business tycoon.

Cruise told Press Trust of India on Saturday, "I wanted to come to India my whole life, so I am very excited."