Prior to the meeting, Jaishankar visited the iconic BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi.In a post on X, he expressed his feelings, stating, “Blessed to visit the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi today. A visible symbol of India-UAE friendship, it radiates a positive message to the world and is a true cultural bridge between our two countries.”
During his visit to the temple, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February this year, Jaishankar interacted with the monks of BAPS, the organization responsible for building the temple on land donated by the UAE.
The BAPS Hindu Mandir, located on a 27-acre site near Al Rahba, is a remarkable display of craftsmanship and serves as a testament to the strong bond between India and the UAE.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar’s visit to the UAE provides an opportunity to assess the entire spectrum of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as discuss regional and global developments. The Indian community in the UAE, consisting of approximately 3.5 million people, forms the largest expatriate group in the country, further highlighting the strong ties between the two nations.
In recent years, the relationship between India and the UAE has been on an upward trajectory. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The signing of the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 has further boosted economic engagement between the two countries, providing numerous benefits such as the elimination and reduction of tariffs, fostering an open trade environment, and enhancing market access for service providers across various sectors.
Additionally, the UAE ranks among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022-23, underscoring the growing economic ties between the two nations.