PM Modi on Sunday virtually participated in  inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir near Paris, describing the landmark temple as a new milestone in the cultural relationship between India and France. Addressing the gathering through video conference, Modi said the India-France strategic partnership was special because it rested not only on political and strategic cooperation but also on long-standing cultural and people-to-people connections.

The inauguration of the temple in the French capital’s metropolitan region marks an important moment for the Indian community in France and for the wider cultural relationship between the two countries. Modi said the temple would enrich France’s cultural diversity and provide a new platform for strengthening understanding between Indian and French societies.

Temple seen as a symbol of cultural ties

During his virtual address, Modi described the inauguration as the beginning of a new chapter in India-France cultural relations. He said the temple represented the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, the Indian philosophy that considers the world one family.

The Prime Minister said the temple was not merely a place of worship but also a representation of Indian culture, values and traditions in Europe. According to him, such institutions can play an important role in bringing communities closer and creating greater mutual understanding.

The temple’s inauguration also reflects the growing visibility of Indian cultural institutions abroad. The BAPS Swaminarayan tradition has established temples and community centres in several countries, combining religious activities with cultural, educational and social programmes.

PM Modi highlights depth of India-France partnership

The Prime Minister used the occasion to underline the broader strategic relationship between India and France. He said the partnership between the two countries was built on a strong foundation of historical cultural and political ties.

India and France have maintained a strategic partnership for decades, with cooperation extending across defence, nuclear energy, space, technology, education, trade and the Indo-Pacific. The relationship has also developed a strong political dimension, with the two countries frequently describing each other as trusted partners.

Modi’s remarks at the temple inauguration therefore carried significance beyond the religious ceremony. The event provided an opportunity to present the cultural dimension of a relationship that has traditionally received considerable attention for its defence and strategic cooperation.

Historical connection through Indian soldiers

Modi also recalled the contribution and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who fought in France during the First World War. Thousands of Indian troops served on European battlefields during the conflict, and their historical connection with France remains an important part of the shared history between the two countries.

Referring to this history, Modi said the memories of Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives on French soil continue to connect the two nations. The reference highlighted how the relationship between India and France extends beyond contemporary diplomacy and has historical roots.

The Prime Minister’s emphasis on history, culture and spirituality reflected the broader message of the inauguration: that bilateral relations are not limited to governments and strategic agreements but also involve communities and shared human experiences.

A new centre for the Indian community

For the Indian diaspora in France, the temple is expected to become an important religious and cultural centre. Indian-origin families living in and around Paris will have a dedicated space for worship, festivals, community gatherings and cultural activities.

The temple is located in Bussy-Saint-Georges, in the Paris region. Reports have described the project as a major traditional Hindu temple and an important addition to India’s cultural presence in France.

The institution is expected to provide opportunities for younger members of the Indian diaspora to remain connected with Indian traditions while also engaging with the multicultural environment of France.

Cultural diplomacy gets a new dimension

The inauguration also highlights the role of cultural diplomacy in India’s international engagement. In recent years, Indian temples, yoga, classical music, dance, cuisine and festivals have increasingly become important elements of India’s cultural outreach.

Such cultural institutions can help diaspora communities maintain their heritage while simultaneously creating spaces where people from different backgrounds can learn about Indian traditions.

The BAPS temple near Paris is expected to play a similar role. Its presence could contribute to greater cultural exchanges between France and the Indian community and strengthen the people-to-people component of bilateral relations.

Broader significance for India-France ties

The temple inauguration comes against the backdrop of increasingly close India-France relations. Both countries have expanded cooperation in areas ranging from defence and strategic affairs to clean energy, space and advanced technologies.

The cultural component has increasingly accompanied this strategic relationship. Modi’s remarks indicate that India sees cultural connections as an important foundation for maintaining the partnership over the long term.

The event also demonstrates how India’s growing diaspora is becoming an important bridge between India and European countries.

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A message of harmony

At the inauguration, Modi presented the temple as a symbol of harmony and mutual respect rather than simply a religious structure. The message of universal brotherhood associated with the Swaminarayan tradition and the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam was central to his remarks.

The Prime Minister said the temple would add to France’s cultural diversity and energise India-France cultural relations.

The emphasis on harmony also reflects France’s multicultural social landscape, where institutions representing different religious and cultural traditions contribute to community life.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual participation in the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir near Paris marks an important moment in India’s cultural engagement with France. Modi described the temple as a milestone in India-France cultural relations and stressed that the bilateral partnership rests on deep political and cultural foundations.

By recalling the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in France and highlighting the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the Prime Minister connected the temple’s inauguration with both the historical relationship and the future of bilateral ties.

The new temple is expected to serve not only as a place of worship but also as a cultural and community centre for Indians in France. Its inauguration therefore carries significance beyond the religious sphere, offering another platform through which India and France can deepen their people-to-people and cultural connections.

As the India-France strategic partnership continues to expand across defence, technology, energy and other sectors, the temple adds a distinctly cultural dimension to a relationship that both countries increasingly view as long-term and comprehensive.