New Delhi witnessed a pivotal moment in international tech diplomacy as Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia met with Ireland’s Minister Jack Chambers on Tuesday. The two leaders highlighted immense opportunities for collaboration in quantum communication, artificial intelligence, regulatory innovation, and rural broadband services.
Scindia emphasized the shared democratic values and innovation-driven ethos that bind India and Ireland. ‘We can forge a robust digital partnership ready for the future,’ he stated during the bilateral talks. India specifically seeks Ireland’s support for its candidacy in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Discussions centered on strengthening telecom infrastructure, emerging technologies, and regulatory frameworks. This meeting reaffirms the strong, friendly ties between the two nations. Both sides recognized the complementary strengths: India’s vast reach and rapid tech adoption paired with Ireland’s research ecosystem and EU-aligned regulations.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Ireland’s Commission for Communications Regulation explored structured cooperation, involving academia, startups, and industry. Scindia showcased India’s digital transformation since 2014, boasting over 1.23 billion telecom subscribers and nearly one billion internet users—the world’s largest digital ecosystem.
India’s 5G coverage spans 99.9% of districts, with data costs at just $0.10 per GB, making connectivity affordable. Voice and data rates are the lowest globally. Scindia highlighted Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) successes like Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a global model for interoperable payments, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for transparent welfare delivery.
Chambers shared insights into Ireland’s National Broadband Plan, a blueprint for affordable connectivity in rural areas. He praised the Indian community’s contributions to Ireland’s economy, innovation, and jobs, and noted multi-billion euro fiber network projects nationwide.
Trade ties between India and Ireland are strengthening, forming a key part of India-EU commerce. Both nations committed to ITU collaboration, sharing best practices in regulation and technology. This partnership promises to drive inclusive digital growth on both sides.