UAE allots land for temple on Modi visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcome by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan on his arrival in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. PTI Photo

The United Arab Emirates on Sunday decided to allot land for building a temple in Abu Dhabi for the Indian community, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on a two-day state visit.

"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.

"PM @narendramodi thanks UAE leadership for this landmark decision," he said.

The UAE is home to 2.6 million Indian workers, of who around 20 percent are white-collar professionals. Indian expatriates comprise 30 percent of the UAE's population and are the largest nationality group.