Tánaiste launches Ireland-India Economic Advisory Panel

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, has launched a new “Ireland-India Economic Advisory Panel” (IIEAP) in Dublin earlier today.

The IIEAP is composed of senior India-based business people and this new initiative is aimed at providing advice and analysis to the government, State agencies and businesses and other Stakeholders here on deepening and strengthening the economic relationship between Ireland and India across all strands of cooperation.

Speaking at the launch event, the Tánaiste said: “Ireland and India have extremely strong historical links and there is no doubting the strength of the economic, cultural and people-to-people links which bind us. We each have drawn inspiration from the other throughout our often difficult histories and this represents a bond whose value or significance cannot be disputed.

“It was in recognition of the huge and undoubted potential which exists in the Ireland-India relationship that I brought an Action Plan for enhancing our bilateral engagement with India to Government earlier this year. The scope for more economic links and trade between our two Countries is enormous and I am determined that we make every opportunity to avail of these. This aligns perfectly with the implementation of the Government Action Plan on Market Diversification to support opportunities for Irish business around the world.

“There is no doubt that there is so much more than we can do in this relationship. Whether it is in the area of furthering education links or stronger collaboration between the burgeoning tech innovation sectors in both countries.”

The IIEAP has been established to ensure the government, State agencies, business groups and other stakeholders in Ireland have access to expertise in identifying opportunities and challenges within the Ireland-India economic relationship. The panel will meet annually and be comprised of senior India-based business leaders who have strong connections to Ireland, including Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (CEO of Biocon and Ireland’s Honorary Consul in Bangalore) and Noel Tata (Chairman of the Tata Trusts).

This inaugural meeting of the IIEAP is over a two-day programme today and tomorrow and includes an open panel discussion on the Ireland-India economic relationship as well as roundtable events with senior government and business leaders, including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation.

ENDS

Press Office

4 September 2025

This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen the Ireland-Indian economic partnership, which has seen significant growth in recent years. Bilateral trade in goods and services between Ireland and India is valued at approximately €16 billion annually, with considerable scope for continued growth.

The establishment of the IISEAP reflects the government's commitment to:

1. Provide strategic advice on how Ireland can enhance its visibility, trade profile, and diplomatic footprint in India
2. Identify emerging opportunities for Irish business, higher education, innovation, tourism, and cultural exchange
3. Deepen networks and facilitate access to key stakeholders across India’s diverse regions and sectors

Panel members who will be in Ireland on 4 and 5 September include:

1. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CEO of BIOCON and Ireland’s Honorary Consul in Bangalore
2. Noel Tata, Chairman of the Tata Trusts, Trent and Tata Investment Corporation, Managing Director of Tata International
3. Mohit Joshi, CEO Tech Mahindra
4. Murtaza Khorakiwala, Managing Director, Wockhardt
5. Rajeev Mecheri, Co-founder of Invicara & TwinIt and Ireland’s Honorary Consul in Chennai