Jaishankar ushers in brand-new Indian consular office in Northern Ireland’s Belfast–

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday ushered in a brand-new Consulate General of India in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the brand-new Indian Consulate, the exterior events preacher stated the relocation mirrors more powerful India- UK connections and acknowledges the diaspora’s payments. The consular office was ushered in to satisfy the requirements of an expanding Indian diaspora in the area.

Belfast is the resources city of Northern Ireland, a declined area of the United Kingdom, which is home to an approximated 10,000 individuals of Indian beginning, according to the last main demographics.

“We saw in Belfast a meeting place, in many ways, between our UK policy and our European policies,” Jaishankar stated.

“We could see that this [region] had privileged access to both. Interestingly, we were negotiating free trade agreements with both the UK and the EU in parallel, which we hope to conclude at an early date,” he stated.

The preacher assessed Northern Ireland’s excellent financial background, recognized for its shipbuilding abilities, and the visibility of several Indian IT firms in the area.

“We do see the economic potential. But at the same time, we want it to serve the Indian community. We take pride, as the prime minister often says, in being a government that has given great priority to the importance and contribution of the diaspora.

Emphasising that the newly inaugurated consulate will be beneficial for the Indian community, Jaishankar said that the Indian government is trying to express its appreciation in various ways, including by making services easier and providing support in multiple forms.

The opening ceremony was followed by political engagements with the devolved administration, including meetings with Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelley and Junior Minister Aisling Reilly.

“Thanked them for all the support in setting up our Consulate. Discussed possibilities for deepening India’s engagement with Northern Ireland, especially in skills, cyber, tech, creative industries, and manufacturing,” Jaishankar published on social media sites.

The preacher is arranged to open up a 2nd Consulate General of India in Manchester on Saturday, as he completes his week-long see to the UK and Ireland.

With inputs from PTI.