Tánaiste Simon Harris welcomed Indian Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, to Dublin on March 7, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Ireland. This visit also marks the first high-level political visit from India since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip in 2015.
The bilateral talks underscored the strong growth in two-way trade between Ireland and India, which reached €16 billion (1.4 trillion Indian Rupees) in 2023. Key discussions included the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission (JEC), aimed at enhancing trade, economic cooperation, and mutual awareness of both nations’ economic priorities. The JEC will also facilitate consultation on trade and economic issues.
Tánaiste Harris emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “India is the largest democracy in the world and an important partner of Ireland, sharing common interests in multilateralism and rules-based global trade.” He also highlighted Ireland’s recent approval of an Action Plan for enhancing engagement with India, further solidifying the relationship between the two nations.
Minister Jaishankar and Tánaiste Harris also addressed a variety of global issues, including the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific, and the challenge of climate change. They agreed that greater collaboration at the multilateral level will allow both countries to tackle these challenges more effectively.
The meeting also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on diplomatic exchanges, marking a practical step in deepening bilateral ties. The formation of the JEC is expected to be a cornerstone of the Ireland-India relationship, particularly as both countries look toward celebrating 75 years of bilateral relations in 2024.
