India and Ireland Strengthen Ties with New Action Plan and Economic Commission

New Delhi, Mar 8 (KNN) India and Ireland have unveiled a series of measures to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and technology.

This development follows a high-level meeting in Dublin between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Simon Harris.

This marks the first senior-level visit from India to Ireland since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 trip. A key outcome of the discussions was the launch of a new Action Plan aimed at reinvigorating ties between the two nations.

Additionally, both sides agreed to establish a Joint Economic Commission to facilitate discussions on trade and investment opportunities.

Jaishankar, in a statement on X, emphasized the significance of the agreement: “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.”

The talks also addressed global issues, including the conflict in Ukraine, developments in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific, and India-EU relations.

Harris highlighted Ireland’s commitment to deepening engagement with India, referring to the government’s approval of the action plan earlier this week.

A key initial outcome was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a diplomatic exchange program by Indian Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra and Irish Ambassador Kevin Kelly.

The proposed economic commission will serve as a platform for trade-related discussions and a medium to align economic priorities between the two nations.

Jaishankar also engaged with Irish leaders, including President Michael D. Higgins and former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, and delivered a speech at University College Dublin, where he reflected on historical ties and mutual economic interests.

Trade relations between India and Ireland have grown significantly, with bilateral trade reaching Euro 16 billion in 2023.

The collaboration aims to further strengthen economic ties and increase cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries.

(KNN Bureau)