External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the strategic focus of the newly inaugurated Indian Consulate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, describing it as a crucial meeting point between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The consulate aims to serve the growing Indian diaspora and explore economic and educational opportunities.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Jaishankar outlined the three key areas the consulate will prioritize: “Focus number one is to obviously serve the Indian community which is marked in thousands and growing. Focus number two is to explore the economic opportunities here, and we see those opportunities increasing because our ties with the UK are deepening, and this is also a meeting point in a way for the UK with the European Union. Focus number three is actually education and technology.”
Highlighting Belfast’s strong industrial history and economic potential, Jaishankar noted the presence of several Indian IT companies and Queen’s University, which has decided to establish a presence in India. “This is a part of the UK where there’s a strong history of manufacturing. There’s a lot of industry here. There’s a shipbuilding activity here,” he said.
Jaishankar expressed confidence that the consulate would strengthen India-UK relations through enhanced economic cooperation, easier travel, and educational collaboration. “If the economic cooperation grows, travel becomes easier, the Indian community is assisted, and education is increased, I think the benefits to the relationship are very obvious,” he stated.
The EAM’s remarks came after the formal inauguration of the Consulate General of India in Belfast on Friday. In his inaugural address, he noted the deepening India-UK relationship and the increasing Indian community in the region as key reasons for establishing the consulate.
“We could see the people of the Indian community also increasing in numbers, so it made great sense that after we came back into government to move very early to set up a consulate. When we looked at the history of Belfast and this region, it made eminent sense to take the call,” Jaishankar said.
He concluded by underscoring the consulate’s role in advancing India’s twin engagements with the UK and Europe and serving the aspirations of the local region and the Indian community.
EAM S Jaishankar is on an official visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland from March 4 to March 9.