PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met his Dubai counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to discuss a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation even as the two leaders welcomed the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty and the growing economic ties. Prime Minister Modi also invited the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to visit India at his earliest convenience. “It is always a delight to meet @HHShkMohd. His vision for Dubai’s growth is clearly visible to the entire world. Our discussions covered a wide range of subjects ranging from commerce to connectivity, and ways to boost people-to-people linkages,” Modi posted on his official X handle along with the photos of the meeting. A post on the official X handle of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also posted photos and said, “Strengthening India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership! PM @narendramodi met VP & PM of UAE @HHShkMohd in Dubai. Discussions covered a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including trade & investment, technology, education, and people-to-people ties.” Modi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who is also the Defence Minister and the Ruler of Dubai, welcomed the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty and also expressed their satisfaction at the rapidly growing economic and commercial ties between India and the UAE, and acknowledged in particular the key role played by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Architecture of first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi has elements of UAE: SEVEN spires representing seven emirates of the UAE, carvings of camels, and national bird falcon, are part of the architecture of the first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi, to give equal representation to the host country. The temple built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha on a 27-acre site in Abu Mreikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, at a cost of around Rs 700 crore, was inaugurated on Wednesday. The land for the temple was donated by the UAE Government.

 

The consecration of the idols began at the temple this morning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the dedication ceremony at the grand temple in the evening which will mark the culmination of the “Festival of Harmony” which began at the temple on February 10. Seven shikhars (spires) have been built at the temple representing the seven Emirates that come together to form the UAE. “The seven spires have idols of deities, including Lord Ram, Lord Shiv, Lord Jagannath, Lord Krishna, Lord Swaminarayan (considered a reincarnation of Lord Krishna), Tirupati Balaji and Lord Ayappa. The seven shikhars represent the seven emirates of UAE,” Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of IRs for BAPS, told PTI. “The seven spires also pay homage to seven important deities, underscoring the interconnectedness of cultures and religions. Normally, our temples are either one spire, three, or five, but come here, the seven spires express our gratitude to the unity of the seven emirates. But at the same time, the seven spires enshrine seven important deities. “The spirals aim to promote unity and harmony in the multicultural landscape. Standing at a towering 108 feet, the temple will pave the way for the cultural integration of diverse communities in the region,” he added. To give equal representation to the host country, along with animals that occupy an important place in Indian mythology like elephants, camels and lions, the UAE’s national bird, the falcon, has also been included in the design. “The camel; a symbol of persistence, commitment and endurance, has been etched into the carvings of the temple while drawing inspiration from the landscapes of the UAE,” said Som Singh, a stone artisan at the temple.

 

Apart from 15 tales from India, including the Ramayana and Mahabharata, stories from Mayan, Aztec, Egyptian, Arabic, European, Chinese and African civilizations have also been depicted in the temple. While the outer walls of the temple are made using sandstone from India, the interior, made of white Italian marble, is adorned with intricately designed and carved columns and walls. Other Noteworthy architectural elements include two ghumats (domes), 12 samrans (dome-like structures) and 402 pillars. The two ghumats are the “Dome of Peace” and “Dome of Harmony”. “The Dome of Harmony showcases five natural elements – water, fire, air, earth and space. There are carvings of animals such as horses and camels that represent the UAE. A Wall of Harmony, one of the largest 3D-printed walls in the UAE, features a video showcasing key milestones of the temple’s construction,” Singh said. The architecture, a fine specimen of Hindu stone architecture, is devoid of steel for the erection of the structure. “It is an ingenious use of science and technology, where carved stones are put together like a jig-saw, and then the gravity pulls them into place,” said Vishal Patel, lead volunteer at the temple. “Around 96 bells and gaumukhs are installed around the path leading to the temple. These 96 bells are a tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 96 years of life,” he added. During PM Modi’s two-day visit to the Gulf nation in 2015, the UAE allocated land for constructing a temple in Abu Dhabi.

 

This visit held significant diplomatic importance, as Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister since Indira Gandhi to visit this strategically vital Gulf nation in 34 years. Safety of Indians abroad PM’s priority: Kwatra By Gunjan Sharma ABU DHABI, Feb 14 (PTI) PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has always taken the initiative and spoken to leaders of other countries to ensure the safety of Indian nationals abroad, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said here on Wednesday. Responding to questions on the release of eight Indian Navy veterans, facing death row in Qatar, Kwatra said whenever the Indian community had faced problems, the Prime Minister, his leadership and his personal initiatives ensured that they were brought back to India. “This is direct evidence of the sensitive approach the Prime Minister adopts to address the problems faced by the Indian community,” Kwatra said during a briefing on the Prime Minister’s visit to the UAE. The Foreign Secretary said that over the past 10 years, whenever Indian nationals have faced problems, it was not just a question of the Ministry of External Affairs but the whole of Government approach has been adopted to ensure their safety. “Indian nationals, wherever they are, should be extended all possible and appropriate help. These are the directives of the Prime Minister,” Kwatra said. “He (PM) has taken the initiative to speak to leaders of other countries and he has ensured that Indian nationals wherever they are, remain safe and are brought back to India if necessary,” the Foreign Secretary said.

 

The Prime Minister is visiting Qatar Wednesday evening, Kwatra said, adding that the details about his discussions with the Emirati leadership will be shared as and when they take place. The Foreign Secretary said India-Qatar relations are comprehensive and the Prime Minister’s visit to Doha will take the ties to newer heights. Kwatra said the Prime Minister has taken personal initiative to strengthen India’s relationship with every country in the Gulf region. IEA will gain from India’s increased involvement: PM Modi New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India brings talent and innovation to the table and the International Energy Agency (IEA) will benefit if the world’s fastest growing major economy plays a bigger role in the Paris-based organisation. In a recorded message for the ministerial meeting of the IEA, he said India has surpassed its Paris climate targets ahead of schedule and remains firmly committed to addressing the global issue. Prime Minister Modi said India’s carbon emissions account for only four per cent of the global total despite it being home to 17 per cent of the global population and undertaking some of the world’s largest energy access initiatives. Congratulating the IEA on its 50th anniversary, the prime minister said, “I am sure that the IEA will benefit when India plays a bigger role in it.” “Inclusivity boosts the credibility and capability of any institution,” he said and added that “1.4 billion Indians bring talent, technology and innovation to the table”. “We bring scale and speed, quantity and quality to every mission,” Modi said.

 

Noting that India is the world’s fastest growing major economy, he said sustained growth needs energy security and sustainability. “In one decade, we went from the 11th largest economy to the fifth largest. In the same period, our solar energy capacity grew twenty six fold. Our renewable energy capacity also doubled. We exceeded our Paris commitments in this regard, ahead of timelines,” the prime minister said. “However, we are firmly committed to combating climate change,” he said. India achieved its emissions intensity-related targets 11 years ahead of the committed time-frame and non-fossil fuel targets nine years ahead of schedule. The country now aims to reduce emissions intensity of gross domestic product by 45 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels and achieve 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. It has also committed to become a net-zero economy by 2070. Modi also highlighted India’s proactive approach in leading initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Mission LiFE, which focuses on pro-planet lifestyle choices. He thanked the IEA for supporting initiatives such as the Global Biofuels Alliance launched during India’s G20 Presidency.