New Delhi: With more Indian students looking beyond traditional study destinations, Ireland is fast becoming a preferred choice. The country saw a record 13,000 Indian students on its campuses last year, Irish minister Jack Chambers told students at Lady Shri Ram College for Women on Monday, calling education the strongest bridge between the two countries. Chambers noted that Indian students now form one of the fastest-growing international cohorts on Irish campuses, drawn by courses in technology, business, health sciences and emerging digital fields. He said the expanding academic ecosystem between India and Ireland has opened “new education pathways” for Indian youth seeking global exposure and industry-linked learning.
Highlighting the deepening ties between the two countries, Chambers said academic collaborations, joint research and student exchange programmes are set to expand further. Such partnerships, he added, help prepare young professionals for a global workplace and strengthen long-term people-to-people engagement. The minister also referred to the growing strategic partnership between India and the European Union in the context of the recently concluded EU–India Free Trade Agreement. Calling it an “ambitious arrangement covering a market of nearly two billion people”, he said the pact is expected to remove most tariffs and significantly boost trade by 2032. At a time of global uncertainty, he said, the agreement underlines India’s growing role as a dependable economic partner. On global developments, Chambers touched upon the conflict in Europe, saying the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war had put pressure on international cooperation and disrupted supply chains, affecting energy and food security worldwide. He said Ireland continues to support multilateralism and a rules-based global order, noting that India’s leadership would be important in shaping collective responses to emerging challenges. Irish ambassador to India Kevin Kelly also addressed the gathering and outlined a new govt action plan aimed at strengthening political, economic and educational engagement with India. He said Ireland is committed to making its higher education landscape more accessible and attractive for Indian students.
