Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses gathering at the inauguration of BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris

The inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris on September 6, 2026, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference marks a significant milestone in India-France relations, blending spiritual diplomacy with strategic partnership. This event is not merely a religious ceremony but a powerful manifestation of India's soft power projection and civilizational diplomacy. The temple, described by the Prime Minister as 'Made in India, Built in France,' symbolizes a unique fusion of ancient Indian craftsmanship and modern French engineering — stones intricately carved in India were transported and assembled in France using contemporary construction techniques. This architectural synthesis reflects the deeper structural alignment between the two nations: a shared commitment to democratic values, strategic autonomy, and cultural pluralism. Historically, India-France ties have deep roots. Indian soldiers fought valiantly on French soil during both World Wars, a sacrifice commemorated at the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial. In the intellectual sphere, French scholars like Sylvain Lévi and Louis Renou played pivotal roles in popularizing Sanskrit and Indology in Europe. The Prime Minister also invoked Romain Rolland, the Nobel laureate who wrote extensively on Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda, and Mirra Alfassa (The Mother), whose spiritual journey led her to Puducherry, where she co-founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Additionally, the arrival of Srila Prabhupada and the establishment of ISKCON in France in the 1970s opened a new chapter in people-to-people spiritual exchanges. These historical threads form the cultural bedrock upon which the modern Special Global Strategic Partnership — elevated during President Emmanuel Macron's 2018 visit and reinforced in subsequent summits — now stands. The temple's inauguration aligns with the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation, a dedicated framework to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, defence, space, climate action, and critical technologies. This initiative builds on the 2023 Horizon 2047 Roadmap, which outlines a 25-year vision for bilateral collaboration. The partnership spans joint military exercises (like Varuna and Shakti), co-development of defence systems (such as the Scorpène submarines and Rafale jets), and collaboration in civil nuclear energy (Jaitapur project). The temple thus serves as a cultural anchor for a relationship increasingly defined by high-technology and strategic convergence. From a constitutional perspective, Article 51 of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates the State to "promote international peace and security" and "foster respect for international law and treaty obligations." The government's active support for such cultural diplomacy initiatives reflects this constitutional vision. Furthermore, Article 29(1) protects the right of minorities to conserve their distinct culture, and the global propagation of Indian spiritual traditions by organizations like BAPS resonates with this principle. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, under the leadership of Mahant Swami Maharaj, has established over 1,200 temples worldwide, including the landmark Akshardham in New Delhi and the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi (inaugurated in February 2024), making it a key non-state actor in India's cultural diplomacy. The significance for India is multifaceted. Politically, it reinforces India's image as a civilizational state with global cultural footprint. Economically, such landmarks boost tourism, diaspora engagement, and brand India. Socially, they strengthen the Indian diaspora's identity and integration in host countries — France hosts one of the largest Indian communities in Europe. The temple is also expected to become a hub for humanitarian activities, consistent with BAPS's tradition of disaster relief, education, and healthcare. Looking ahead, this inauguration may catalyze more such cultural infrastructure projects in Europe and beyond. With the 2026 Year of Innovation underway, we can expect deeper institutional linkages in research, startups, and digital public infrastructure. The temple will likely emerge as a center for interfaith dialogue, Sanskrit studies, and yoga — further embedding Indian philosophy in the European public sphere. As the Prime Minister noted, "the voices of Indian culture emerging from here will benefit people across the whole of Europe," signaling a long-term civilizational investment that transcends transactional diplomacy.