Archive · 4 Nov 2025
UAE to establish India House and recognize yoga as a competitive sport
Imagine two countries, India and the UAE, deciding to become even better friends.
They recently had a meeting and planned some cool things.
One big idea is to build a special place in the UAE called 'India House.'
This place will be like a hub for sharing Indian art, culture, and history, and also for students to visit and learn.
It will help people from both countries connect and collaborate.
Also, the UAE is going to officially recognize yoga as a competitive sport, which is a first for a Gulf country.
They will create rules and a committee to make this happen.
Both countries believe that sharing culture and sports helps build a stronger friendship.
The UAE plans to establish an 'India House' in Abu Dhabi within the next couple of years.
This cultural landmark aims to strengthen ties in art, culture, student exchanges, and highlight shared history.
The UAE is set to declare yoga as a competitive sport, developing a national framework for it.
These initiatives were discussed at the second India-UAE Cultural Council Joint Steering Committee Meeting in Abu Dhabi.
The meeting also focused on enhancing cooperation in youth engagement, sports, education, tourism, and archival collaboration.
- Who
- Indian and UAE delegations from various ministries and cultural institutions
- What
- Discussed and planned initiatives including the establishment of an India House and recognizing yoga as a competitive sport in the UAE.
- When
- October 8-9 (recent meeting)
- Where
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Why
- To strengthen bilateral ties in art, culture, student exchange, shared history, youth engagement, sports, education, tourism, and archival collaboration.
Stance
Stance
Purpose of India House
Stance
Envisioned as a symbol of the creative spirit uniting India and UAE, creating opportunities for artists and audiences to meet, share, and collaborate.
Stance
A forthcoming cultural platform in the UAE designed to showcase India’s artistic heritage and contemporary creativity.
Recognition of Yoga
Stance
The UAE is actively moving to formalize yoga as a competitive sport, with a national framework being developed under the Ministry of Sports.
Stance
The UAE is planning to include yoga as a competitive sport considering its popularity in the country, potentially becoming the first Gulf country to grant it full sporting recognition.
- Event
- Second Joint Steering Committee Meeting of the India-UAE Cultural Council
- Date
- October 8-9
- Location
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Key Initiatives
- Establishment of India House, Yoga as competitive sport
- Indian Delegation Lead
- Nandini Singla, ICCR Director-General
- UAE Delegation Lead
- Noura Al Kaabi, MoS in UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs