Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visits BAPS Akshardham Temple in New Jersey on US tour
Synopsis
On day seven of his US-Canada tour, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel combined temple diplomacy with hard economic pitching — visiting the BAPS Akshardham Temple in New Jersey while telling the Gujarati diaspora that a state with 5% of India's population already drives 8.2% of its GDP, with a target of crossing 10% by 2030.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Jersey on 23 August , day seven of his US-Canada tour.
He participated in the 'Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey' programme, calling on the diaspora to partner in the state's development.
Gujarat contributes 8.2% to India's GDP despite holding 6% of its land area and 5% of its population; the state targets over 10% by 2030 .
The state has been divided into six zones under a structured Viksit Gujarat 2047 roadmap.
GIFT City , conceived in 2006–07 , was cited as a model of Gujarat's long-term development vision.
CM Patel also addressed a Young CEO Meet , engaging entrepreneurs, tech experts, and business leaders.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Jersey on Sunday, 23 August, as part of the seventh day of his ongoing week-long tour of the United States and Canada. The Chief Minister was received warmly by BAPS saints at the temple, widely regarded as a landmark centre of Indian spirituality and culture in North America.
Temple Visit and Cultural Connect
At the Akshardham Temple, CM Patel praised the institution's rich representation of Indian cultural and spiritual traditions, as well as its sustained service to society. He also acknowledged the role of the Gujarati diaspora in preserving Indian values and heritage on foreign soil. The temple visit underscored the cultural dimension of a tour that is otherwise focused on economic outreach.
Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey Programme
The Chief Minister also participated in the 'Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey' programme, where he called upon members of the Gujarati community abroad to actively partner in the state's development journey. He presented Gujarat's economic trajectory to the diaspora, noting that the state — which accounts for six per cent of India's geographical area and approximately five per cent of its population — currently contributes 8.2 per cent to the country's GDP. He expressed the ambition of raising that share to more than 10 per cent by 2030.
Young CEO Meet and Business Outreach
Separately, CM Patel engaged with young entrepreneurs, technology professionals, and business leaders at a Young CEO Meet, reflecting the tour's emphasis on attracting global investment and forging international partnerships. The visit is accompanied by a high-level delegation from the state government, signalling institutional seriousness behind the outreach.
Viksit Gujarat 2047 Roadmap
Addressing the diaspora, the Chief Minister outlined Gujarat's long-term development blueprint. He said the state has been divided into six zones, with key sectors, growth opportunities, and development targets identified for each. 'Work has now begun to implement this roadmap on the ground,' he said. He also highlighted GIFT City — conceived during 2006–07 — as an example of Gujarat's far-sighted development approach. 'Today, GIFT City has established a distinct identity globally, creating opportunities for Gujarat's youth and contributing to the state's overall development,' CM Patel added. The broader goal, he noted, is to build a Viksit Gujarat by 2047, aligned with India's centenary of independence.
The tour continues as one of the more substantive state-level international engagements of the year, combining diaspora diplomacy with investment promotion across two countries.
Point of View
And their buy-in matters for GIFT City's global ambitions. The 8.2%-to-10% GDP contribution target by 2030 is an ambitious claim, but without granular data on which sectors will drive that jump, it risks sounding like a headline number. The six-zone roadmap for Viksit Gujarat 2047 is a structural detail worth watching — if implementation follows, it could be a replicable model for other states. If not, it joins a familiar genre of vision documents that outlive the political cycles that produced them.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visit the BAPS Akshardham Temple in New Jersey?
CM Bhupendra Patel visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Jersey on 23 August as part of the cultural leg of his week-long US-Canada tour. The visit was aimed at connecting with the Gujarati diaspora and acknowledging the temple's role in preserving Indian cultural and spiritual traditions abroad.
What is the 'Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey' programme?
It is a diaspora outreach event organised during CM Patel's US tour, where he invited Gujarati communities in New Jersey to participate in the state's development journey. He used the platform to present Gujarat's economic achievements and long-term growth targets.
What is Gujarat's GDP contribution to India, and what is the 2030 target?
Gujarat currently contributes 8.2% to India's GDP, despite accounting for only 6% of the country's geographical area and about 5% of its population. CM Patel has set a target of raising this contribution to more than 10% by 2030.
What is the Viksit Gujarat 2047 roadmap?
It is a long-term development blueprint under which Gujarat has been divided into six zones, each with identified key sectors, growth opportunities, and development targets. The roadmap is aligned with India's broader goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
What is GIFT City and why did CM Patel highlight it?
GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) is a global financial and fintech hub conceived during 2006–07. CM Patel cited it as an example of Gujarat's far-sighted development approach, noting that it has now established a distinct global identity and creates opportunities for the state's youth.
