18 AUGUST 2024
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honour to welcome you here to Farmleigh House and Estate to mark the India Day festival. This day is a celebration of Irish Indian friendship, our shared culture. and arts and the strong links forged between our people.
While this is the tenth occasion that we have celebrated India Day here at Farmleigh, 2024 also marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and India
Though separated by thousands of miles Ireland and India have shared a strong connection though our shared struggle for independence. This friendship included many Irish people who were involved in Indian Independence. Margaret Cousin who helped organise the first all-India Women’s Conference in 1927, and who was imprisoned for protesting against colonial restrictions on free speech and free association, was also an important figure in the Irish suffragette movement. The collaborative approach and respect she showed to India represents the foundational element of Irish Indian friendship.
Economically our nations are forging new partnerships with trade and investment flowing between our shores. The world is a smaller place now with many Irish people know India well through our strong business links. India is Ireland’s third largest Foreign Direct Investor from the Asia Pacific region.
With 30 Indian companies operating across Ireland, employing over 5,000 people, Ireland appreciates the strong relationships with the Indian business community. I hope that these companies will continue to invest and grow their footprint in Ireland. There also significant opportunities for more Inish companies to establish and grow in the exciting Indian market, particularly in areas such as ICT, aviation, fintech and lifesciences.
Education is another area in which new and expanding friendships being forged. Increasing numbers of Indian students are coming here to study world class third level colleges, last year with around eight and a half thousand students.
These students bring with them rich vibrant cultural heritage of India, which enlivens life on the campus for all of the student body. In turn, the students from India acquire unique knowledge, skills and experiences that they have gained in Ireland.
The shared knowledge and friendships created through Irish and Indian students studying together will continue to build more cultural generations business links for the coming generations.
Indian Irish families have long been part and parcel of the fabric of irish cities, towns and villages up and down the country. Indeed, many of you hers today have been in Ireland for many decades and appreciate the similarities between Irish and Indian people with their shared sense of humour, love of good food and the importance of family and community.
In recent years, a new wave of professionals in Ireland’s advanced ICT sector have helped to drive the expansion of Ireland’s economy. Many of you here today will be from this cohort and I hope that we have made you feel welcome here and that you have found a home away from home.
As we look to the future the potential for partnerships is immense. The bonds link us will only get stronger and I know that the relationship between Ireland and India will serve as an exemplar for how two nations can come together in mutual respect and friendship.
I would like to acknowledge the work that goes into creating event of this scale. My staff in National Historic Properties, particularly the Farmleigh team have worked very closely with Ireland India Council. The efforts of the council to build friendships and community between Ireland and India, and the dedication to organising this event is commendable.
Thank you all and I hope that you have a wonderful day