“India – Ireland” Historically Engaged : Irish Envoy – Modi is Hard Working Prime Minister
New Delhi, 13th Oct 2017: Delhi Study Group led by President Vijay Jolly & select members were hosted by Ambassador of Ireland Brian McElduff at an interaction program on “History of Ireland & India-Ireland Relations” at Malcha Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-21. The lively interaction between Indian intelligentsia & Irish Ambassador was a two way affair lasting nearly 2 hours with free flow of ideas over tea-coffee & light snacks, Irish courtesy.
Brian McElduff, Ambassador of Ireland to India highlighted the pro-investor policies of Irish govt. We are a success story much like India. We believe in free trade & democratic ideals stated Brian. Ireland & India have common history. Both fought against the British for their independence. We were inspired by each other. We have great affiliations. We gained independence in 1921 while India in 1947. Earlier our staple diet was potatoes. But later Irish invented the global “duty free shopping” concept since we proved smart & intelligent than others. Today Ireland is best known for its educational institutions. Today India – Ireland can be best partners in education.
Irish Ambassador Brian McElduff praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Smart India & Digital India programs. But India is rapidly losing is talented people to United States. Whereas Ireland also has talented people & we love Indian workers. There is labor shortage in Ireland. Today our Ireland Investment Development Agency is the best in the world & know how to market Ireland. We do not manufacture air planes but we lease air planes in the world today claimed Irish envoy.
Brexit has provided us vast opportunities. But we do regret it as we value the idea of European Union (EU). And the values it represents. “To facilitate trade, we are a low tax economy and have streamlined our bureaucracy. There are regulations but we don’t over regulate. As a country, Ireland has the talent for business, combined with skilled workforce. We also enjoy good reputation, as our people are good communicators as well. We wish India to be partners in our growth story. With a shared value system, we are sure we can take our trade ties to new highs,” said Brian McElduff.
At the outset President Delhi Study Group Vijay Jolly reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first Indian Prime Minister in 59 years to visit Ireland on 23rd Sep 2015. Jolly said today 26,000 strong Indian diaspora strengthens Irish system. Sister Nivedita of Swami Vivekanand fame, Ms. Annie Besant and Pallon Mistry – richest Irish Indian citizen bind India & Ireland’s past & present stated Mr. Jolly. The program was conducted by Dr. Sarvjit Dudeja & vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. Shobha Upadhyay. Earlier a Diwali gift of silver “Ganesh-Lakshmi” were presented to the Irish Ambassador by Delhi Study Group.