UAE's Hindu temple reflects India's timeless values of faith, harmony and love: PM Modi

The foundation stone laying ceremony (Shilanyas Vidhi) of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE took place on Saturday in the presence of more than 2,000 members of the Hindu community and Indian envoy to the UAE, Navdeep Suri. Several UAE ministers were also present and witnessed the ceremony that lasted over two hours.

Reading out PM Modi's message, the Indian envoy said, "the temple will reflect India's timeless values of faith, harmony and love. I am sure, this temple will be a source of inspiration, for 33 lakh Indians residing in the UAE, as well as for people from all other communities".

The PM, in his message, said that the temple "embodies the timeless Vedic values of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole world is one family)" and once completed the temple "will symbolise the universal human values and spiritual ethos that form a shared heritage of both India and the UAE."

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Conveying the greetings "on behalf of 130 crore Indians" to "dear friend" the Crown Prince of Abu Dabhi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the PM "deeply appreciated his vision for the future" of India-UAE ties and placed "on record" New Delhi's appreciation of the "continued support of the UAE."

Mahant Swami Maharaj, the sixth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, presided over the foundation stone laying ceremony of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi.

UAE in 2015 had decided to allot a plot of land for construction of the temple. The decision was taken during PM Modi's first visit to the west Asian country.

Saturday's development comes in the backdrop of the UAE celebrating its year of tolerance and this temple, the PM said, is "an expression of UAE's love, friendship and faith in India".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony of the temple through live feed and unveiled a replica of the temple complex in Dubai in February of 2018 during his visit to the country.

UAE-India ties in the last few years have grown manifold especially with a number of high-level visits.

PM Modi first visited the country in August 2015 which was followed by the visit of the crown prince in 2016. The following year, the crown prince was the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade and again in 2018, PM Modi visited the country and was the chief guest at the sixth World Government Summit in Dubai. The PM was, a few weeks ago, honoured by the highest civilian award - The Zayed Medal- of the country.

Earlier this year, in a first, the UAE invited India as a guest of honour at the organisation of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers meet despite reservations from Pakistan.

More than 3 million Indians have made the country their home and there are approximately 1,000 direct flights per week between various destinations of India and the UAE.