Dublin/New Delhi, Jan 9 (NationPress) The Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George, convened a meeting with Colm Brophy, Ireland's Minister of State for Migration, on Friday to explore various avenues for fortifying the relationship between the two nations. The discussions encompassed crucial sectors such as trade, economy, education, healthcare, and people-to-people connections.

During the meeting, Secretary (West) Sibi George welcomed Minister Brophy, where they deliberated on avenues to enhance and deepen relations between these two amicable countries, focusing on trade and economy, education, healthcare, and people-to-people interactions. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared this update on X.

According to a statement released the previous day, Ireland's Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration announced that Brophy's visit to India spans from January 7-12, followed by a trip to Abu Dhabi from January 12-13. Throughout his visit, he will engage in discussions with governmental counterparts and Irish missions to enhance Ireland’s bilateral ties and collaboration in key priority areas.

Prior to his journey, Colm Brophy expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I am thrilled to visit India and Abu Dhabi. These trips highlight the Government’s dedication to international collaboration and strengthening partnerships with key global allies. India is a crucial partner for Ireland, particularly in the domains of trade, education, and innovation, and I eagerly anticipate meetings with senior officials to advance our mutual objectives."

He also acknowledged the remarkable efforts of the staff at the visa offices in New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, emphasizing their crucial role in facilitating Ireland's international engagement. The New Delhi visa office stands as Ireland's largest visa operation outside its territory, underscoring the significance of Ireland's relationship with the region.

During his time in India, Brophy plans to visit the Irish Embassy and Visa Office, engaging with senior colleagues from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Home Ministry. These discussions aim to advance the government's strategies on trade and investment, legal migration pathways, educational linkages, and cooperation on shared priorities at the European Union level, as highlighted in the statement from Ireland's Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

The statement also noted, "This visit occurs amidst a robust and expanding economic relationship between Ireland and India. Two-way trade has surged significantly over the last decade, with total trade now exceeding €16 billion, indicating an increase of roughly €12.5 billion. While services constitute the bulk of bilateral trade, this growth emphasizes the necessity of ongoing engagement to unlock further opportunities."

Furthermore, Ireland’s approach towards India is guided by several governmental strategies, including the Action Plan for Enhanced Engagement with India, the Action Plan on Market Diversification, and Ireland’s Asia-Pacific Strategy.

Moreover, Ireland has welcomed the European Union's (EU) renewed focus on India, including the establishment of a new EU-India Strategic Agenda and the upcoming EU-India Summit set for late January 2026. Ireland has also voiced support for the conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is critical for market diversification and improved access for Irish and European businesses, particularly in the food and drink sector, while also fostering deeper collaboration in research and emerging technologies.