On Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar officially inaugurated a new Indian Consulate General in Belfast, Northern Ireland. During the inauguration, he highlighted that this step reflects the strengthening of ties between India and the UK while also acknowledging the contributions of the Indian diaspora. The consulate has been established to serve the growing Indian community in the region. Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, a devolved part of the United Kingdom, is home to around 10,000 people of Indian origin, as per the latest official census.

“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 added.

The minister highlighted Northern Ireland’s rich economic history, particularly its strong shipbuilding industry, and noted the significant presence of Indian IT companies in the region. He acknowledged the economic potential but stressed that it should also benefit the Indian community. He reiterated that the government, as the prime minister, often emphasises, values and prioritises the contributions of the Indian diaspora. Speaking about the newly inaugurated consulate, Jaishankar said it would be a valuable resource for the Indian community. He added that the Indian government is finding various ways to show its appreciation, including improving services and offering different forms of support.

After the opening ceremony, Jaishankar held political discussions with Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister 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,” EAM Jaishankar’s post on social media.

As the minister's week-long visit to the UK and Ireland comes to a close, he's set to open a brand new Consulate General of India in Manchester today, Saturday. This will be the second consulate he's inaugurated during his trip.