What happened?
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Dublin on February 20, 2025, marking the first high-level Indian visit to Ireland since 2015. During his visit, he met with Irish President Michael Higgins and other officials to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in trade, technology, and education.
A key focus of discussions was the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has been under negotiation for 23 years. Jaishankar expressed optimism that the agreement could be concluded by the end of 2025, following a recent high-level visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and 21 commissioners to India.
Why it matters to India:
Ireland, as an EU member, plays a crucial role in India’s broader engagement with Europe. Strengthening ties with Ireland could facilitate smoother negotiations for the FTA, which aims to boost trade, technology partnerships, and investment. The EU is India’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for 12.2% of total trade. A successful deal would further India’s push to diversify trade relationships amid evolving global economic dynamics.