Prime Minister Modi will begin a two-day official visit to the UAE tomorrow (file photo)
New Delhi:
The inauguration of the BAPS temple is a “crucial part” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during which he will also pay tribute to India in the UAE at an event at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi Speaking to the community, Minister Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Monday.
Addressing a meeting, Mr. Quatra said: “The inauguration of the BAPS temple is one of the key parts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE… Based on the information available so far, around 2,000 to 5,000 devotees are expected to visit the temple on the day. “The media briefing is here.
Prime Minister Modi will begin his two-day official visit to the UAE tomorrow. This is his seventh visit to the UAE since 2015 and his third visit in the past eight months.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The leaders of the two countries will discuss how to further deepen, expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern.
The Prime Minister will also attend the World Government Summit in Dubai in 2024 as the chief guest and deliver a special keynote speech.
The relationship between the two countries has been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The two countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to facilitate the use of Indian rupees and dirhams in cross-border transactions.
The two countries are one of each other’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade volume in 2022-23 being approximately US$85 billion.
Preparations are in full swing in Abu Dhabi ahead of Prime Minister Modi inaugurating the BAPS Mandir on February 14.
Volunteers at the temple expressed their enthusiasm and called the inauguration a “dream” for “everyone in the Indian community”.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Vishal Patel, a volunteer, said: “I have been living in the UAE for more than eight years and I am the chief volunteer at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. We are very Excited. This temple is a dream come true for everyone from the Indian community living in the Middle East…”
“Now we are very happy and excited to see the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14. We are very grateful to the UAE for its leadership,” Mr. Patel said.
The Mandir is the first traditional Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates, located on 27 acres of land generously donated by the UAE’s leaders.
Another volunteer, Umesh Raja, said the gift of land from the UAE’s rulers brought “a message of love, peace and harmony” to the community.
“I have been serving here as a volunteer for the past 12 months. What I love about this place is the generosity of the rulers here… the message of love, peace and harmony it brings to the community,” he told ANI.
The BAPS Hindu Temple will be the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East. Located in the Abu Mureikhah area, this magnificent building embodies the cultural spirit of peace and cooperation and is a testament to the enduring friendship between India and the UAE.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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