Temple inauguration extends India’s footprint in UAE
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited as a Guest of Honour to the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 14, 2024, by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and the Ruler of Dubai. This marked PM Modi's second attendance at the Summit as Guest of Honour after his initial participation in 2018. In his keynote address themed "Shaping the Future Governments," PM Modi discussed the evolving landscape of governance, spotlighting India's progressive reforms centred around the mantra of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance." He underscored India's commitment to inclusive development through initiatives focusing on people's participation, last-mile delivery, and women-led progress. Aligning with India’s vision of "Vasudeva Kutumbakam" - the World is One Family, he emphasised the significance of collaboration among national governments in today's interconnected world.
During his visit to the UAE, PM Modi engaged in discussions with Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on a wide range of areas for bilateral cooperation, spanning trade, investment, technology, space, education, and people-to-people ties. This relationship has seen a monumental rise in recent years. This visit marks PM Modi's seventh trip to the UAE in the last ten years. Additionally, PM Modi met with UAE's President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which several cooperation agreements were exchanged between the nations. These agreements covered various sectors including energy, investment, digital infrastructure, maritime affairs, trade, fintech, and connectivity.
During the Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit, to the UAE, several significant announcements were made to strengthen ties between the two nations. One such announcement was a land grant for an Indian Community Hospital in Dubai, aimed at providing affordable healthcare for the largely Indian workforce in the UAE. With over 3.5 million Indians currently residing in the UAE, constituting roughly 30% of the country's total population, this initiative addresses a critical need within the expatriate community. Additionally, PM Modi was warmly welcomed at 'AHLAN MODI', an event organised by the Indian community at the Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi where the Indian PM highlighted the diaspora's role in anchoring India-UAE ties and India being a "Vishwabandhu” - Friend of the whole world, and contributing greatly to global progress and well-being. During the visit, PM Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum virtually laid the foundation stone of Bharat Mart at Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai. This initiative is expected to boost India-UAE bilateral trade by providing a platform for micro, small, and medium sectors of India to connect with international buyers in the Gulf, West Asia, Africa, and Eurasia.
On February 14, Indian PM Modi marked a historic moment by inaugurating Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple, which happens to be the largest in the UAE. Constructed by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) with stones, the temple features pink sandstone columns adorned with seven spires, each representing the number of Sheikhs governing the Emirates. This temple serves as a symbol of the UAE's recognition of its large Indian diaspora and underscores the strengthening friendship between the two nations.
