Ireland's relationship with India
The relationship between India and Ireland is centuries old, and 2024 marked 75 years of official diplomatic connections between our two countries.
Our bilateral relationship was established in a joint declaration on 10 January 1949. Ireland was one of the first countries to welcome and acknowledge India’s independence two years earlier in 1947. The Irish Embassy in New Dehli opened in 1964.
The shared struggle for independence, a joint admiration of literature and culture, and an acceptance and tolerance for others has created a strong bond between our two nations. Since then ties have only gone from strength to strength, thanks to increased partnerships across the business, education and the tourism sectors.
Pre-independence context
Before gaining independence from the British Empire, many Irish people arrived in India as part of the Imperial Civil Service and the Indian army in the 19th century. Missionaries, educators, and doctors followed.
One prominent example is Annie Besant, a member of the Theosophical Society and founder of the Home Rule League in 1916, who demanded dominion status for India. Another notable instance is the meeting between future Taoiseach Éamon de Valera and Indian revolutionary Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Dublin in February 1936.
Cultural connections
Beyond their shared struggle for independence, Ireland and India have deep cultural ties through literature and poetry. Nobel laureates Rabindranath Tagore and W.B. Yeats explored themes that transcended geography, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other’s literary traditions.
India-Ireland at 75
Today, 75 years after establishing diplomatic relations, the India-Ireland relationship is stronger than ever. Ireland is estimated to be home to more than 80,000 Indians, the third-largest immigrant group after Polish and British nationals.
Irish universities are increasingly favoured by Indian students, with more than 8,000 Indian students choosing to study in Ireland in 2023, more than a tenfold increase since 2013.
A small but growing Irish population, estimated at around 550 people, have made India their home.
Cultural connections continue to thrive through literary exchanges, academic collaborations, and cultural festivals, showcasing the enduring bonds between the two countries.
India is a key aspect of Ireland’s renewed Asia Pacific strategy, aimed at deepening economic and cultural ties and expanding Ireland’s presence in the region. The Irish Government expanded our presence in India in April 2019, opening a Consulate General in Mumbai as part of this strategy.
Economic and trade ties
India is an important partner for Ireland. Our two-way trade in goods and services has grown steadily over the last decade, and now totals over €16 billion annually.
India and Ireland have identified synergies in information technology, pharmaceuticals, and trade. Ireland’s strategic position within the European Union offers Indian businesses a gateway to Europe, while India’s burgeoning market provides ample opportunities for Irish enterprises.
Enhancing Engagement with India
Under its Asia Pacific Strategy published in 2023, Ireland is committed to deepening its strategic relationship with India across all strands of cooperation. The opening of “Ireland House” in Mumbai saw an expansion of Ireland’s diplomatic and economic footprint in India, with the co-location of the Consulate General, Enterprise Ireland and IDA in India’s commercial capital.
The Government of Ireland has approved a proposal for a detailed Action Plan for Enhancing Engagement with India to be developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in consultation with other relevant Government departments. This proposal outlines a broad range of measures which will be pursued and implemented as part of this action plan.