The Department of Political Science, Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR), Delhi University, organised a special speaker session on “India- Ireland Relations: Historical Friends and Future Partners in the context of the new India- EU Free Trade Agreement” with Irish Ambassador to India, Kevin Kelly and Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Ireland, Jack Chambers.While addressing the session, Chambers highlighted the bilateral trade expanding significantly as the speaker outlined a future where the India-Ireland corridor serves as a primary engine for Euro-Indian growth. Set against the backdrop of the newly concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement, hailed by the EU President as the “Mother of all Deals”, the session explored a transition from historical sympathy to a high-stakes economic partnership. He said, “The friendship between India and Ireland is set to roll forward into a future defined by trust, creativity, and strategic partnership.”Chambers opened with a warm “Hello” in Irish, immediately grounding the talk in the 80-year diplomatic history between the two nations since Ireland opened its first embassy of Asia in Delhi. He traced a “unique bond” rooted in the shared struggle against British colonial conquest, noting how Indian and Irish revolutionaries shared both ideas and ideals. From the legacy of the Indian Irish League to the personal rapport between Jawaharlal Nehru and Éamon de Valera, the historical links remain vivid. The Minister paid tribute to the Irish influence on India through figures like Annie Besant and the Home Rule Movement, Sister Nivedita, noting that these ties provided the blueprint for modern cooperation.
(L-R) Prof Kanika Ahuja, Jack Chambers, Kevin Kelly (Pics: LSR)
Irish Ambassador Kevin Kelly noted the Irish government’s new action plan for deeper engagement with India, while Chambers emphasized that as a member of the EU and UN, Ireland views India as a vital partner in maintaining the UN Charter. Chambers highlighted that the Indian community makes a highly valued contribution to Irish society, working in critical roles across the Irish economy, in healthcare, IT, engineering and senior management roles. They breathe lifeblood into the bilateral relationship and represent the vitality and diversity of this great country in Ireland. Education emerged as the modern “living bridge,” with Chambers noting that 13,000 Indian students currently study in Ireland. Acting Principal Prof Kanika Ahuja highlighted LSR’s specific collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, reflecting a shared commitment to academic excellence, in her keynote address. She emphasised that the partnership between both the countries extends beyond a common experience of colonial history to being forward-looking and rooted in shared democratic values. She said, “While Ireland is a small country with big hearts, India is a large country with big hearts and bigger aspirations”. Addressing students, the Minister discussed the impact of semiconductors and AI, encouraging global talent to look toward Ireland as a safe and innovative place to build careers. The dialogue also touched on environmental responsibility; while the Minister detailed Ireland’s plans for decarbonizing its economy, the Principal highlighted LSR’s own “Zero Waste” campus initiative, showcasing a shared aspiration for sustainable development and peace. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A that touched on everything from transatlantic ties to the T20 World Cup and the cultural resonance of movies and festivals. Chambers maintained that he sees no “challenge” from India’s rise, only deeper opportunities for cooperation in a fragmented global landscape. Despite the significant global disruptions and the fragility of international trust over the last year, Chambers framed the landmark India-EU agreement as a critical move toward restoring certainty. In response to a query regarding the need for student exchange to become a “two-way street,” Minister Chambers acknowledged that while Irish postgraduate opportunities are popular for Indians, there is a concerted effort to encourage Irish students to study in India. He highlighted that the Irish Universities Association is actively exploring ways to facilitate these cultural and educational exchanges, drawing a parallel to the successful JET program in Japan as a model for building long-term business and people-to-people links. Such intriguing questions were asked by the enthusiastic students, which were answered with the same amount of enthusiasm by Jack Chambers. The closing sentiment was clear as Principal Ahuja presented tokens of appreciation to both the Honourable Guests, Jack Chambers and Kevin Kelly. It was rooted in a history of “big hearts” and shared struggles between Ireland and India, which continue to shape the relationships between both the countries.
