Jaishankar’s Visit to Ireland to Strengthen Trade, Technology, and People-to-People Ties

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will embark on a week-long visit to Ireland and the United Kingdom from March 3-9, with a strong focus on enhancing trade, economic cooperation, and people-to-people ties, sources familiar with the matter have confirmed.

Jaishankar’s visit to Ireland holds particular significance, as it marks the first high-level Indian visit to Dublin since 2015, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured the country. The trip comes at a time when Ireland has emerged as a key trade and technology partner within the European Union (EU), with bilateral trade reaching €16 billion in 2023.

During his engagements in Dublin, Jaishankar is expected to announce the formation of a new joint economic commission, aimed at expanding trade, technology, and investment partnerships between the two nations. Ireland’s updated Asia-Pacific strategy, unveiled in 2023, underscores India as a strategic economic partner, reinforcing the importance of this visit.

With Indian companies like Wipro, TCS, and Infosys already leveraging Ireland as a gateway to the EU market, discussions are expected to focus on deepening economic ties, technology collaborations, and investment opportunities. The visit will also prioritize the growing Indian diaspora in Ireland, now numbering over 80,000, including 40,000 NRIs and 10,000 students. Measures to bolster cultural exchanges and mobility programs will be on the agenda.

A significant highlight of the visit will be Jaishankar’s discussions on trade and technology cooperation, particularly in semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, and telecommunications security. These discussions align with the Technology Security Initiative launched last year, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation in critical sectors.

Beyond Ireland, Jaishankar’s visit to the United Kingdom comes amid a renewed push for the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with trade minister Jonathan Reynolds visiting New Delhi next week for fresh negotiations. The trip will also see the inauguration of India’s new consulate in Belfast, strengthening India's diplomatic footprint in the region.

Given Ireland’s strategic role within the EU and its growing economic ties with India, Jaishankar’s visit is expected to lay the groundwork for a new phase of collaboration in trade, technology, and cultural engagement.