In an increasingly divisive world, where geopolitical tensions and traditional forms of diplomacy often seem insufficient to bridge cultural divides, nations have turned to soft power as a means of asserting influence.
Soft power, as coined by Joseph Nye in the late 20th century, refers to a country's ability to shape the preferences of others through attraction rather than coercion. For India, this concept has been integral in its pursuit of global influence, particularly through the promotion of its rich cultural heritage, traditions and arts. One of the most recent and notable manifestations of this cultural diplomacy is the construction of the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi, a project that exemplifies India's growing use of cultural soft power, especially through religion, architecture and tourism.
The BAPS Hindu Temple, located in the United Arab Emirates, is a monumental testament to India's cultural diplomacy overseas. It is the first traditional Hindu temple built in Abu Dhabi, a city known for its towering skylines, deeply rooted Islamic traditions and a sizable Tamil diaspora. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosts a significant Tamil-speaking population. Estimates suggest that approximately 450,000 individuals identifying as Tamil reside in the UAE, primarily in cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
The BAPS temple is part of a larger initiative by the Indian government and the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) organization to foster better relations between India and the Gulf states, as well as to promote Hinduism’s cultural values on the global stage. While the temple construction is an important gesture aimed at strengthening cultural ties between India and the UAE, it also raises important questions about the intersection of religion, Hindu nationalism, and identity—especially within the Tamil diaspora. Despite the shared religious practices, there are significant differences in the way Hinduism is practiced and understood across India and Sri Lanka, mainly owing to their different historical and political contexts.
The Tamil Hindu community, especially those from Tamil Nadu and North-East Sri Lanka, generally follow the traditions of Shaivism (worship of Lord Shiva) and worship deities like Murugan, Pillaiyar (Ganesha), and Amman (a Goddess). The BAPS temple, part of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), follows the Swaminarayan tradition, which is a different sect of Hinduism, focused on the worship of Lord Swaminarayan and the values promoted by this tradition. Linguistically as well, the terms used to refer to the major deities, the religious practices as well as the scriptures used to define religion differ in both India and Sri Lanka. In India, many aspects of Hinduism are traditionally studied in Sanskrit, although vernacular languages like Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali are also commonly used in daily practices and rituals. The religious texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, and Mahabharata are widely studied and interpreted across many languages. The religious expression for many Tamils reside in the works of the Thirukkural (a Tamil work of ethics), Tevaram and Tiruvachakam (a collection of Tamil hymns that form a volume of sacred texts).
This distinction is compounded by the rise of Hindu nationalism in India, which has come under scrutiny both domestically and internationally. While Hindu nationalism has been lauded by some as a unifying force, promoting pride in Hindu heritage and values, it has also sparked concern among minority communities, including Muslims, Dalits, and even some Tamils, who fear marginalization. The pros of Hindu nationalism include a reinvigoration of India's spiritual and cultural identity, reinforcing a sense of national pride and unity among Hindus. However, the cons of this nationalism often include exclusionary rhetoric that threatens India's secular fabric, potentially alienating non-Hindu communities who may feel distant from the dominant cultural narrative.
A carefully curated exercise in cultural diplomacy or a true testament to intentional inclusion? Only time can tell what role the BAPS Hindu Temple will play in fostering a sense of belonging for the Tamil community, balancing sectarian differences with shared Hindu values, and bridging the cultural gap between varied traditions.
