EAM Jaishankar visits Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple under construction

EAM Jaishankar visits Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple under construction

“In Ganesh Chaturthi, had the pleasure of visiting the @BAPS Hindu temple under construction in Abu Dhabi. Great to see the rapid progress and deeply grateful to all involved for their dedication. Met the BAPS team, community supporters, devotees on site and staff,” Jaishankar tweeted.

EAM called it a symbol of peace, tolerance and harmony, and praised the efforts of all Indians to build this iconic temple.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE was built by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

In 2018, thousands of devotees, well-wishers and guests from all over the world attended the Shila Pujan ceremony in Abu Murray, marking the first step in the construction of Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple. Since then, the construction site has received many tourists from all walks of life, according to temple authorities.

The Indian Embassy in the UAE tweeted: “Auspicious start to EAM @DrSJaishankar visit. EAM visited @BAPS @AbuDhabiMandirsite and laid the foundation for its intricate architecture. Also commends all Indians for what they have done to build the iconic temple efforts, which is peace, tolerance and harmony.”

Also defining EAM’s remarks as inspirational BAPS tweeted: “Our deepest thanks to @DrSJaishankar for visiting Mandir on this auspicious day. His inspiring words to artisans, volunteers and contributors underscores the This Mandir functions as an oasis of global spiritual harmony”.

In 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a model of a traditional stone temple in the presence of more than 1,700 dignitaries from all walks of life in India and the United Arab Emirates.

“Abu Dhabi’s first traditional temple will be a catalyst for the prosperity and harmony of humanitarian values ​​in both countries. This temple will be a vehicle for Indian identity,” Prime Minister Modi said later.

During Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to the West Asian country, the UAE government decided in 2015 to allocate a plot of land near Abu Dhabi for the construction of the temple.

Meanwhile, EAM also met Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, to thank him for his great support for the Indian community, yoga activities, cricket and cultural cooperation.

“Nice to meet Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. Thank you for his great support to the Indian community, our yoga activities, cricket and cultural collaborations”, Jia Shankar wrote on Twitter.

EAM will also co-chair the 14th India-UAE Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) and the 3rd India-UAE Strategic Dialogue with UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

According to a statement from the MEA, the meetings will provide an opportunity for the two ministers to review the comprehensive strategic partnership and regional and global development between India and the UAE. During the visit, Jashankar will also meet with other Emirati dignitaries.

In 2022, India and the UAE will have regular high-level exchanges. Prime Minister Modi visited Abu Dhabi on June 28 and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The two leaders also held a virtual summit on February 18, during which they signed the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and adopted a vision statement. According to the MEA, the two leaders also participated in the virtual I2U2 summit on July 14.

Both India and the UAE are committed to advancing partnership ties in a number of areas including trade, investment, traditional and renewable energy, food security, health, skills development, education, culture, defence, space, consular issues and people-to-people exchanges.