Biz Boost For Ireland-India Ties
Ireland has introduced a new initiative that aims at strengthening its economic relationship with India. The Ireland-India Economic Advisory Panel is meant to create a more structured channel for business and policy dialogue between the two countries.
Announced in Dublin by Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris, the panel brings together leading Indian business figures with ties to Ireland, as well as senior officials from Irish government departments and agencies.
The panel includes names such as Noel Tata (Tata Trusts), Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (Biocon), Mohit Joshi (Tech Mahindra), Murtaza Khorakiwala (Wockhardt), and Rajeev Mecheri (Invicara, TwinIt, and Ireland’s Honorary Consul in Chennai).
Speaking at the launch, Harris pointed to the “undoubted potential” in the Ireland-India relationship. Earlier this year, his department introduced an action plan to strengthen ties with India. It’s part of a broader effort to diversify Ireland’s global economic partnerships.
“The scope for more economic links and trade between our two countries is enormous,” Harris noted, emphasising the value of sustained business-to-government dialogue. “We want to make the most of every opportunity.”
What The Panel Could Actually Do
While advisory panels can often be symbolic, this one is designed not just to facilitate introductions but also to share practical insights with policymakers, trade bodies and businesses on both sides.
India’s Ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra underlined this point. He called for moving beyond diplomatic goodwill toward identifying real areas of complementarity, where both economies can benefit from partnership.
He pointed to sectors like agritech, health tech, clean technologies and professional training as particularly ripe for collaboration. These are not new talking points but the focus now is on turning them into investable, scalable models.
“The need is to identify complementary areas and build sustainable, mutually beneficial business models,” said Ambassador Mishra. “This panel can be a catalyst but it needs to engage with stakeholders on both sides in a practical way.”
Why Now?
India is among the fastest-growing major economies, while Ireland, despite its size, is a well-established hub for global tech and pharma. Both countries have young populations, highly skilled workforces and strong democratic institutions, but direct economic ties have remained relatively modest.
The timing of the panel is also notable. For Ireland, it’s part of a deliberate pivot toward broader global trade relationships post-Brexit. For India, it fits within a strategy of expanding partnerships across Europe in ways that go beyond just the UK or Germany.
There is also a people-to-people dimension. A growing Indian community in Ireland, particularly in sectors like healthcare and IT, adds a layer of familiarity and long-term engagement that can support deeper economic cooperation.
The panel has held early meetings with top Irish officials, including the Prime Minister and ministers in charge of digital transformation and public infrastructure. But its value will depend on follow-through and whether it can shape real opportunities for startups, SMEs and larger businesses in both countries.
