As we all know that India PM Narendra Modi had visited UAE yesterday for two day trip and he was the first PM to visit UAE. Thus Modi’s government has been honoured by United Arab Emirates to allocate land for building the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. On Sunday, Modi had become the first Indian premier to visit the country in 34 years.

Soon after landing, Modi was given huge welcome by Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashied Al Maktoum. The main aim of this trip is seen an important step in expanding trade relations between India and the UAE. The decision of allocating land for temple is an example for Abu Dhabi which supports the strategic vision of the two nations.

A long wait for the Indian community ends. On the occasion of PM’s visit, UAE Govt decides to allot land for buildng a temple in Abu Dhabi

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) August 16, 2015

There are about 2.6 million Indians in UAE. India is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner and the UAE is India’s third largest trading partner behind the US and China. Trade between the two countries had reached $60bn last year. “There will be few people who think that the decision of allocating land for temple is Modi’s demand as a religious agenda.

It is none of that. It was simply a case of him being the first leader from India to go to UAE after a long time, and it was a goodwill gesture. “It is still a relationship centred on trade. Modi certainly didn’t go lobbying for a temple,” said Samir Saran, Vice president of the Observer Research Foundation. Organisations such as the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha have held ‘satsang’ assemblies for Indians living in the UAE over the years. During a visit in 2013, sadhus of the organisation conducted sat sang assemblies in Dubai and donated some land for constructing temple.

I am very thankful to the UAE Govt for their decision to allot land in order to build a Temple in Abu Dhabi. This is a great step.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2015

“A long wait for the Indian community ends. On the occasion of PM`s visit, UAE Govt decides to allot land for building a temple in Abu Dhabi,” tweeted external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup. Meanwhile Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister said in a tweet on Sunday, that he was thankful to the UAE government, describing the move, “a great step”.