India-Ireland Joint Economic Commission set to boost bilateral trade & investment ties
| 2025-03-09
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Simon Harris in Dublin on March 7, 2025.
Bilateral trade between India and Ireland stands at about 16 billion euros (17.33 bn USD) at present.
An agreement on setting up an India-Ireland Joint Economic Commission was a key outcome of External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar’s official visit to Ireland on March 6-7, 2025.
According to official data, bilateral trade (Goods and Services) between India and Ireland stands at about 16 billion euros (17.33 bn USD) at present. India’s total trade in goods with Ireland for April 2023 – March 2024 is US$ 6.4 bn; India’s export to Ireland stood at US$ 702.7 mn and imports from Ireland at US$ 5.6 bn.
The India-Ireland Joint Economic Commission will pave the way for a faster growth in trade and investment ties. It will also ensure greater coordination on matters related to global trade.
The issue was discussed during delegation-level talks between EAM Jaishankar and his counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Simon Harris. During their meeting, they reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation and key global and regional matters of mutual interest.
“A warm and open meeting with Tánaiste & 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,” EAM Jaishankar said on social media platform X after the meeting on March 7, 2025.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), they expressed satisfaction over the progress in diverse sectors including in trade & economy, education, mobility, culture, tourism and people to people exchanges.
They also discussed expanding collaboration in the higher education sector, and exploring avenues for creating further opportunities for businesses and professionals from both countries in new and emerging sectors including in cyber security, AI, Fin-tech, and semiconductors.
The Irish Deputy PM and Foreign Minister presented EAM Jaishankar a copy of the Irish Government’s Action Plan aimed at enhancing Ireland’s engagement with India.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on diplomatic exchanges was signed during the visit, aimed at deepening institutional cooperation and experience sharing on training programmes for diplomats. Further, recognizing the importance of growing bilateral trade and economic ties, the two sides agreed to set up an India-Ireland Joint Economic Commission, the MEA said.
EAM Jaishankar also called on Ireland President Michael D Higgins and held discussions on the growing bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
EAM Jaishankar began his visit to Ireland by visiting the iconic General Post Office Museum in Dublin. “The 1916 Easter Rising has a special meaning for so many who fought for freedom from colonialism,” he said on social media.
An event organized at the University College of Dublin provided him with the opportunity to speak on ‘India’s view of the World’. He also interacted with prominent academicians and scholars and discussed perspectives on global affairs.
During the visit, EAM Jaishankar paid floral tributes to the Statue of Rabindranath Tagore in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin. He also interacted with the Indian community members in Ireland, appreciating their rich contributions to Irish society.
EAM Jaishankar’s visit, taking place within the first two months of the new government in Ireland, underscores the priority both sides attach to further strengthening bilateral ties and the commitment for sustained engagements, the MEA noted.
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