UAE to Establish ‘India House’, Plans to Recognize Yoga as a Competitive Sport

Nearly 20 months after the grand inauguration of the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, another major cultural milestone is on the horizon — the establishment of an India House in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As per the proposed plan, the India House is expected to come up within the next couple of years and will serve as a vibrant cultural hub to further strengthen ties between India and the UAE. It will focus on promoting art, culture, education, student exchanges, and shared heritage between the two nations. The Gulf nation, which hosts a large Indian expatriate community of about four million people, is also planning to officially recognize yoga as a competitive sport, highlighting its growing cultural and social acceptance in the region.

These developments were discussed at a recent high-level meeting held in Abu Dhabi between an Indian delegation and their UAE counterparts. The discussions took place during the second Joint Steering Committee Meeting of the India-UAE Cultural Council, which was held from October 8–9, 2025. The meeting was aimed at reviewing and expanding bilateral cooperation in various cultural, educational, and youth-related fields under the framework of the India-UAE Cultural Council, an initiative that seeks to institutionalize cultural ties between the two countries.

The Indian delegation was led by Nandini Singla, Director-General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), and included senior officials from multiple ministries — Tourism, Culture, Youth Affairs, National Archives of India, and Nalanda University. The UAE delegation, on the other hand, was headed by Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State in the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials familiar with the proceedings said that both sides expressed strong commitment toward expanding bilateral cultural cooperation and exploring innovative initiatives that strengthen the people-to-people connection between India and the UAE.

A major highlight of the meeting was the UAE’s proposal to include yoga as a recognized competitive sport. Yoga has gained immense popularity in the UAE over the past few years, practiced widely by both the Indian diaspora and local Emiratis. The inclusion of yoga as a sport will not only formalize its status but also pave the way for organized competitions and training programs, further boosting its global recognition.

The meeting also explored multiple areas of collaboration, including youth engagement, sports, education, tourism, and archival partnerships. Officials emphasized that these initiatives reaffirm the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening the overall strategic partnership between India and the UAE. Both nations acknowledged that cultural cooperation acts as a vital bridge supporting economic, political, and social ties.

During her visit, ICCR DG Nandini Singla also met with leading cultural and academic figures from institutions such as NYU Abu Dhabi and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The discussions focused on potential collaborations in arts, museology, research, and academic exchanges, reflecting a shared interest in knowledge and cultural preservation.

The latest meeting builds upon the progress made during the first Joint Steering Committee Meeting held in New Delhi in March 2025, which was attended by UAE Minister Noura Al Kaabi. The India-UAE Cultural Council Forum was originally established in 2022 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations, following a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Since its formation, the Council has worked to create structured platforms for cooperation across various sectors — from cultural exchanges to academic collaboration. The creation of the India House in Abu Dhabi will be a symbol of this growing partnership, representing India’s cultural presence and soft power in the region. Alongside, the recognition of yoga as a competitive sport underlines the deep cultural integration between the two nations, rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and a long-standing friendship.

Overall, these initiatives mark a new phase in the India-UAE relationship, emphasizing cultural diplomacy as a central pillar in their ever-strengthening strategic and people-centric partnership.