India’s temple diplomacy in the UAE

India’s temple diplomacy has seen the most astounding diplomatic success overseas under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There are several examples of his diplomatic skill, but the building of the biggest temple in the UAE is the most outstanding among them. On behalf of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu temple, Swami Ishwarcharandas, and Swami Brahmaviharidas have invited PM Modi to inaugurate the massive Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on Basant Panchami on 14 February 2024. The location where the temple stands is exactly called the Abu Mureikha area. The preparation for this temple building and, most importantly, the land allocation began in 2015. The area for its construction constitutes around 5.4 hectares, combining features such as a large amphitheater, a gallery, a library, a food court, a majlis, a garden, a children’s play area, and two community halls with an accommodation capacity of nearly 5,000 people. The temple strictly follows the sacred Hindu methods and traditions of temple building. Indian artisans have gone to Abu Dhabi in thousands to make statues and carvings following the Hindu sculptural and architectural traditions. The stonework is most intricate to add an authentic aesthetic taste and visual exceptionalism. This explains the depth of the India-UAE bilateral relationship and the strength of the Indian diaspora in the UAE. Abu Dhabi is the fourth-largest investor in India and the third-largest trading partner. The 3.5 million Indian diaspora in the UAE is arguably the largest by the standard of an individual country. India’s soft power diplomacy has been instrumental in reinvigorating the sense of the Indian diaspora’s great pride in Indian heritage, culture, and civilisation and promoting the global resurgence of ‘Bharatiyta-Indianness’ as a dharmic process that believes in universal well-being, mutual respect, and peace. The ‘Ahlan Modi’ meaning ‘Hello Modi’ is scheduled for 13 February at the Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, just a day before the temple’s inauguration. It also explains the popularity the Indian Prime Minister enjoys among the Indian diaspora. The zeal and enthusiasm of the diasporic community in the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi amplified this dharmic and civilisational wave. The spirit of enthusiasm from both sides is reflected through the recent signing of four MoUs in the areas of healthcare, renewable energies, food park, aerospace, port, and other technologies between the Ministry of Investment of Dubai and the Government of India, and between the Government of Gujarat and (Dubai Port) DP World. Apart from the recent ones, the India-UAE bilateralism in export-import, port infrastructure, real estate, agriculture, space technology, defense equipment, herbal medicine, etc., has made remarkable achievements in various areas of engagement. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to connect Europe involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Greece is a connectivity project in this direction. It embodies the potential to revolutionise the import-export architecture between Asia and Europe. It will also decouple singular reliance on the Suez Canal to transport the cargo to the Mediterranean Sea to connect with Europe. In the event of an IMEC corridor, the stress and congestion emanating from the traffic in the Suez Canal linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will be significantly eased. These developments keep India at the center of things, displaying India’s diplomatic depth and soft power engagement in the region. No doubt, India is poised to be the Vishwaguru (World teacher), profoundly expanding the transnational knowledge space crisscrossing the territorial spatiality while reinforcing a strong sense of confidence among the Indian diaspora. BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is a remarkable example of the diasporic rootedness in India’s culture and its dedication to developing centers of Sanatan culture and spirituality overseas. Apart from BAPS Hindu Mandir, the UAE also has several Hindu and Buddhist temples and Gurudwara that include Shiva Temple (Dubai), Shree Krishna Haveli (Dubai), Shrinath Temple (Dubai), Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir (Dubai), Geeta Shangha (Sharjah), SMVS Mandir (Dubai), Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur ji (Abu Dhabi), Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara (Dubai), Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple (Dubai), Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple (Dubai), etc. This shows the strength of India-UAE bilateralism. It does not remain confined to commerce alone. It goes to the sphere of culture. On the scheduled inauguration of the BAPS Hindu temple, the Ambassador of the UAE to India, Abdulnasser Alshaali said, “It’s going to be a phenomenal monumental day, a special occasion to celebrate tolerance and acceptance, and to further strengthen this relationship.” The persistence of confidence and collaborative work has tirelessly contributed to building India’s strong presence in West Asia through the UAE and other regional partners, which gives good dividends. The rise of India as a global player, its vibrant diaspora, civilisational value, and ethical gravity have cumulatively worked in its favor to emerge as a bankable partner. Its rich culture, inclusive outlook, youth energy and talent, significant strides in science and technology, art and culture, accommodative and enterprising people, and, more importantly, its ethical and spiritual value and unparalleled antiquity have attracted attention everywhere. The inclusivity that the Sanatana Dharma has shown to the world has generated significant interest across the globe. Bharat is the future and a global guide through virtue and spirituality. Its Yoga and Ayurveda have taught the world the incredible therapeutic dimensions they embody. As a knowledge civilisation, India is committed to dharma, spirituality, ethics, diversity, and inclusiveness. Given this tremendous civilisational richness, Bharat stands as a moral, civilisational, and entrepreneurial force for the crisis-ridden world afflicted with climate disasters, health hazards, violence, and conflict. The grand narrative is that Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Law) is syncretic and accommodating. The UAE’s decision to allow the building of this huge temple, which is to be inaugurated on 14 February, demonstrates the true partnership between both parties and their shared wisdom of ‘Two Nations, One Vision’. The concept ‘Two Nations, One Vision’ was featured as a theme in the UAE-India Business Submit alongside the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, articulating the strength of this relationship. An exciting and enduring outcome of this exercise is the formalisation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is a milestone in the India-UAE partnership.

Jajati K Pattnaik is an Associate Professor at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Chandan K Panda is an Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_’s views._ Read all the  Latest News,  Trending News,  Cricket News,  Bollywood News, India News and  Entertainment News here. Follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter and  Instagram.