In a notable move to internationalize his reelection campaign and promote his vision of a Hindu state in secular India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Middle East's first traditional stone-built Hindu temple. The temple, located just north of Abu Dhabi in Abu Mureikha, was constructed by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a global religious and civic organization within the Swaminarayan sect.
Modi's visit to the temple marked the conclusion of his swift tour of the United Arab Emirates, where he engaged with the UAE's president, whom he referred to as a brother, and delivered a speech at a Dubai summit attended by global leaders. The significance of strengthening relations with Muslim-led Gulf Arab states cannot be understated for Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party, as India's future and international standing largely rely on these connections.
