Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, during his two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting from February 13. This visit marks his seventh trip to the UAE since 2015 and the third in the past eight months.
During his visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral meetings with President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to discuss ways to further deepen, expand, and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Additionally, the Prime Minister will meet with the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Defence Minister of the UAE.
As a guest of honor, PM Modi will participate in the World Government Summit 2024, which will take place in Dubai. He will deliver a special keynote address at the summit, highlighting India’s perspective on global governance and cooperation.
The inauguration of the BAPS Mandir is a significant event for the Hindu community in Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole. This temple will serve as a place of worship and cultural exchange, fostering harmony and understanding among different communities.
In addition to the temple inauguration, PM Modi will also address the Indian community in the UAE at an event in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. The Indian diaspora in the UAE is a vibrant and integral part of the country, with approximately 3.5 million Indians residing there. Their positive contributions to the development of their host country have been instrumental in strengthening the bilateral engagement between India and the UAE.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the warm, close, and multi-faceted relations between India and the UAE. These relations are underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic linkages. Since PM Modi’s landmark visit to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations have been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Both countries have signed various agreements to enhance cooperation, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July of the same year. These agreements aim to promote the use of the Indian Rupee and the United Arab Emirates Dirham for cross-border transactions.
The UAE is one of India’s top trading partners, with a bilateral trade volume of approximately 85 billion dollars in the fiscal year 2022-23. Furthermore, the UAE ranks among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investment.
The visit of PM Modi to the UAE reaffirms the strong ties between the two nations and highlights the shared commitment to further deepening their partnership across various sectors. It also underscores the importance of cultural diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding and respect between different communities.
Overall, the inauguration of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi and PM Modi’s visit to the UAE symbolize the growing cooperation and friendship between India and the UAE, further strengthening the bonds of friendship and collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is BAPS?
Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)
Who is Mahant Swami?
Mahant Swami is a current Spiritual Guru of BAPS.