India, Ireland Can Build Future-Ready Digital Partnership: Scindia
Telecom, AI and rural broadband among key areas of cooperation
- India and Ireland hold bilateral meeting in New Delhi
- Scindia highlights potential in AI, quantum tech, broadband
- Both sides discuss telecom and digital infrastructure ties
- Agreement to deepen ICT cooperation and industry links
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Feb: India and Ireland on Tuesday held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia led the Indian delegation, while Irish Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform, and Digitalisation Jack Chambers led the Irish side. The meeting took place at Sanchar Bhawan and included senior officials from both countries.
Scindia said India and Ireland, as innovation-driven democracies, have strong potential to collaborate in areas such as quantum communications, artificial intelligence, regulatory innovation, and rural broadband services. He added that both countries can build a strong and future-ready digital partnership.
The minister highlighted India’s digital transformation since 2014, noting that the country now has over 1.23 billion telecom subscribers and nearly a billion internet users. He said 5G coverage extends to almost all districts, supported by among the lowest data tariffs globally.
He also outlined the impact of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, including the Unified Payments Interface and the Direct Benefit Transfer system, along with initiatives such as DigiLocker, Digi Yatra, and Sanchar Saathi.
Chambers shared Ireland’s experience with its National Broadband Plan, aimed at delivering affordable connectivity to rural and remote areas. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Indian community to Ireland’s economy and innovation ecosystem.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation through structured engagement, exchange of best practices, capacity building, and industry partnerships, and to work closely within the ITU framework.
