Priyanka Tiwari
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To support the increasing Indian population residing in Northern Ireland, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the New Consulate General of India’s in Belfast on Friday.
In attendance of community leaders, the External Affairs Minister instructed the dignitaries from Indian and British sides about the importance of the newly-established Indian consulate and how it represents the strengthening of India-UK relations along with recognition of Indian diaspora’s contribution.
As per the last official census, Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland which is a devolved part of the United Kingdom, houses an Indian heritage community of around 10,000 people.
Heikh said he was pleased to hear the Minister share in Belfast what we have seen as a meeting place, in many ways, between our UK policy and our European policies, was when Jaishankar spoke to reporters after addressing students from Queen’s University Belfast.
Jaishankar noted the unique status of the region where free trade agreements with the UK and the EU were being negotiated simultaneously.
The Minister emphasized the remarkable economic development of Northern Ireland, particularly because of its history with shipbuilding and the subsequently high concentration of Indian IT firms in the region.
“There is opportunity for economic growth, but we would want it to rest within the services of the Indian community,’’ remarked the diaspora. As he noted, ’As a government, we take pride I serving the diaspora.”
“I am very sure that is what this Consulate will do and I wish that this appreciation is done in many ways, by easing service delivery, by providing assistance many ways,” he said.
Some political activities with the devolved administration, some of which were the opening of the new Northern Ireland Assembly, followed the opening ceremony. There were also meeting with deputy first minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelley and junior minister Aisling Reilly.
“I thank them for all the support in setting our Consulate. We were discussing deepening India’s engagement with Northern Ireland, especially in skills, Cyber, Tech, creative industries and manufacturing,” he posted on X.
He made another post where he remarked that the Consulate would be serving the Indian community while for further cooperation of all the other in trade, technology, business and education.
As the minister completes his weeklong tour of the UK and Ireland, he is expected to launch the second General Consul of India in Manchester on Saturday.
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