Dr. Jaishankar’s visit continued in Northern Ireland, where he held key meetings with the region’s political leaders. During his visit to Belfast, he met with Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Junior Minister Aisling Reilly
External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar’s official visit to Ireland and Northern Ireland has been marked by significant diplomatic strides aimed at enhancing bilateral relations in the areas of trade, investment, education, and cultural engagement.
Throughout the visit, Jaishankar held high-level meetings, launched initiatives to deepen cooperation, and celebrated India’s rich cultural heritage, all while advancing the nation’s growing influence in Europe.
In Dublin, EAM Jaishankar met with his Irish counterpart, Tanaiste and Foreign Minister Simon Harris. The two leaders agreed to set up a Joint Economic Commission, a major step towards boosting trade, investment, and technology linkages between India and Ireland. This move is part of a broader effort to reinvigorate ties and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in technology and economic growth.
Sharing the details of the meeting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar said, “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.” He also highlighted that they exchanged views on global developments, including the Ukraine conflict, West Asia, Afghanistan, and the Indo-Pacific, as well as discussed India-EU cooperation and the importance of multilateralism.
Later in the day, Jaishankar paid tribute to India’s cultural icon, Rabindranath Tagore, at his bust statue in St. Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin. Reflecting on the significance of cultural diplomacy, he posted on X, “Paid tributes to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at St Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin at the conclusion of my visit to Ireland.”
Strengthening Relations with Northern Ireland
Dr. Jaishankar’s visit continued in Northern Ireland, where he held key meetings with the region’s political leaders. During his visit to Belfast, he met with Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Junior Minister Aisling Reilly. Their discussions centered around strengthening ties between India and Northern Ireland, particularly in sectors like skills development, cyber technology, creative industries, and manufacturing.
In a post on X, Jaishankar expressed gratitude for the local government’s support in setting up the Indian Consulate in Belfast, noting, “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.”
The opening of the Indian Consulate in Belfast is a crucial development in enhancing India’s diplomatic presence in the region, offering greater support to the Indian community and facilitating deeper cooperation in trade, education, and business.
Education Diplomacy: Queen’s University Belfast
A highlight of Jaishankar’s visit to Northern Ireland was his tour of Queen’s University in Belfast, where he met with faculty and students. The university is set to establish a new campus in GIFT City, Gujarat, furthering academic ties between India and Northern Ireland. This collaboration offers promising prospects for both educational exchanges and research partnerships, underscoring the potential for deeper collaboration in the field of higher education.
Dr. Jaishankar also interacted with Indian students currently studying at Queen’s University, showcasing the growing academic engagement between the two nations. “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 the education sector. Appreciated the interaction with Indian students currently studying in @QUBelfast,” he said in his post.
A Vision for Future Cooperation
At the conclusion of his visit to Belfast, Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed the significance of the newly inaugurated Indian Consulate. In his message, he stated, “The Consulate will serve the needs of the Indian community, while also exploring further cooperation in trade, technology, business, and education.” The consulate’s opening marks a pivotal moment in fostering closer ties with Northern Ireland, providing a platform to promote bilateral relations across multiple sectors.
EAM Jaishankar’s visit to Ireland and Northern Ireland highlights the growing strategic importance of this region in India’s foreign policy. With an emphasis on trade, education, technology, and cultural diplomacy, his visit has set the stage for a new era of cooperation between India and these key European regions. The initiatives discussed during the visit, including the establishment of the Joint Economic Commission and the strengthening of educational collaborations, are poised to foster long-term partnerships that benefit both nations.
