Abu Dhabi will soon host a new cultural landmark after the UAE and India agreed to establish a House of India in the capital. The decision followed high-level talks between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Narendra Modi during the UAE President’s official visit to India.
According to a joint statement from the foreign ministries of both countries, the UAE House of India will serve as a long-term symbol of friendship and reflect the expanding cultural dimension of UAE–India relations.
Why is it more than a traditional museum?
Importantly, officials described the House of India as more than a conventional museum.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the centre will feature a modern museum highlighting India’s ancient civilisation while also functioning as a living cultural space. He explained that the project aims to represent ongoing cooperation between the two countries rather than serve as a static exhibition.
In addition, officials confirmed that planners envision a comprehensive cultural centre. The facility will bring together history, art, creativity, and contemporary expression under one roof.
An idea shaped over several years
The concept of a permanent Indian cultural centre in the UAE has evolved.
Initially discussed under the name “India House,” officials later adopted the title House of India to avoid confusion with diplomatic residences. Over the years, both sides refined the idea, focusing on how the centre could serve public engagement rather than ceremonial purposes alone.
Momentum increased in March 2025, when senior officials convened to advance the project.
High-level coordination accelerates progress.
During that meeting, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, and K Nandini Singla, Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, co-chaired discussions.
They focused on activating the India–UAE Cultural Council while also exploring ways to support creative industries, cultural exchanges, and cooperation between institutions and businesses.
As a result, the House of India moved from concept to an active planning phase.
Recognising strong community ties
At the same time, the announcement carries particular significance for the UAE’s Indian community.
With more than 4.3 million Indians living in the UAE, the country hosts one of the largest Indian diaspora populations globally. Foreign Secretary Misri said Prime Minister Modi thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the UAE’s continued support of Indian residents.
Both leaders also agreed to strengthen people-to-people connections, including youth exchange programmes designed to deepen cultural understanding over the long term.
A wider cultural partnership takes shape.e
Although authorities have not yet disclosed the House of India’s location, design, or construction timeline, the initiative highlights how culture now plays a central role in UAE–India relations.
The two countries already collaborate in education, heritage preservation, arts, and creative industries. The House of India in Abu Dhabi is expected to anchor these efforts in a permanent public space.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the UAE’s decision to contribute artefacts to India’s National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, further reinforcing historical and maritime links between the two nations.
A lasting symbol of shared history
As UAE–India ties continue to deepen, the UAE House of India is set to become a visible marker of shared history, mutual respect, and cultural exchange.
Rather than standing as a standalone attraction, the centre will reflect an evolving partnership—one built not only on diplomacy and trade, but also on people, heritage, and long-standing connections.
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Image credit: The two leaders seated on the Royal Swing at the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. They decided to establish ‘House of India’ in Abu Dhabi.
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