External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Irish counterpart, Simon Harris, and announced that India and Ireland have agreed to set up a Joint Economic Commission aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and technology linkages between the two nations.
Jaishankar shared the news in a post on X on Friday, stating, “A warm and open meeting with Tanaiste & FM @SimonHarrisTD of Ireland this morning in Dublin. We discussed our bilateral cooperation, including a new Action Plan to reinvigorate ties. Agreed to set up a Joint Economic Commission to increase our trade, investment and technology linkages. Exchanged views on the recent developments in our respective regions and globally, including the Ukraine conflict, West Asia, Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific. Also spoke about India-EU cooperation and multilateralism.”
Concluding his visit to Ireland, Jaishankar paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore by visiting his bust statue at St Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin. He wrote on X, “Paid tributes to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at the St Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin at the conclusion of my visit to Ireland.”
The EAM also visited Northern Ireland, where he met senior ministers and explored opportunities to strengthen India’s engagement with the region. During his visit to Belfast, he met Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly, and Junior Minister Aisling Reilly. He thanked them for their support in establishing the Indian Consulate in Belfast and discussed expanding cooperation in areas like skills development, cybersecurity, technology, creative industries, and manufacturing.
“Nice to meet Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland @little_pengelly and Junior Minister @aislingreillysf this evening in Belfast. Thanked them for all the support in setting up our Consulate. Discussed possibilities for deepening India’s engagement with Northern Ireland, especially in skills, Cyber, Tech, creative industries and manufacturing,” Jaishankar posted on X.
Later, Jaishankar visited Queen’s University in Belfast, which is set to establish a campus in GIFT City, Gujarat. He also interacted with Indian students studying at the university. “Good to visit Queen’s University in Belfast this evening. Their upcoming campus in GIFT City, Gujarat is an example of the potential of – ties in education. Appreciated the interaction with Indian students currently studying in @QUBelfast,” he shared.
The EAM was in Belfast to inaugurate the Indian Consulate, underscoring its role in serving the needs of the Indian community and exploring avenues for greater cooperation in trade, technology, business, and education.