The economic relationship between Ireland and India has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Two-way trade in goods and services has grown from approximately €4 billion in 2012 to almost €16 billion annually today. This represents an increase of about €12.5 billion and a growth of 90 percent over the last ten years.
The scale of this trade is significant. Ireland-India trade now accounts for around 10 percent of total trade between the European Union and India. Considering Ireland’s small size, this is a remarkable achievement. As Ambassador Kevin Kelly noted, India-Ireland trade has reached €16 billion annually – more than 10 percent of Ireland’s total EU trade.
Irish Exports to India: What Ireland Sells
Ireland’s exports to India have grown substantially. In 2024, total Irish goods exports to India were valued at just under half a billion euro. Machinery, pharmaceuticals and chemical products are among the main categories.
Indian imports from Ireland increased dramatically from around $600 million in 2019-20 to $5.4 billion in the financial year 2025-26. One of the standout products was equipment, which rose to approximately $4.777 billion this year, up from around $300 million five years ago.
The Irish agri-food sector has also seen impressive growth. In 2024, Irish agri-food exports to India totalled €40.5 million – almost double the value of exports in 2023, which stood at €21.9 million. Irish whiskey led the sector, with sales of €30.3 million worth of exports in 2024. Irish whiskey sales in India surpassed 700,000 cases in 2024, a 57.5 percent growth year-on-year.
Other products also saw strong demand. In April 2026, Ireland exported €51.4 million to India, marking a 31 percent increase from April 2025, when trade amounted to €39.3 million. Irish dairy exports to India, though smaller, included 374 tonnes of dairy produce valued at €1.8 million in 2023.
Indian Exports to Ireland: What India Sells
India’s exports to Ireland have also been growing steadily. Ireland imported US$1.38 billion worth of goods from India in 2025. In September 2024, Ireland imported €68.1 million from India. In May 2026, India exported $58.8 million to Ireland.
The top Indian exports to Ireland include other miscellaneous chemicals ($8.51 million), bulk drugs and drug intermediates ($6.75 million), and auto tyres and tubes ($5.26 million). Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers were worth US$6.9 million in 2025.
India’s total trade in goods with Ireland for April 2023 to March 2024 reached US$6.384 billion. While India exported US$702.73 million worth of goods to Ireland, it imported commodities worth US$5.681 billion. This shows that the trade relationship is heavily weighted in India’s favour when it comes to goods, with Ireland importing far more from India than it exports.
Key Sectors Driving Growth
Several sectors are driving the growth in bilateral trade. Information technology is a major area of collaboration, with Indian companies like Infosys, Tech Mahindra and Stripe establishing significant operations in Ireland. Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology are also key sectors, with Biocon, one of India’s leading biotech companies, having strong ties to Ireland.
The tech sector is particularly important. Minister Chambers met with a range of IDA client companies in Bangalore, including Stripe, Photon Interactive, Infosys and Biocon. In Hyderabad, there were meetings with Enterprise Ireland client companies including Techfynder, My Compliance Office and T Hub Innovation Centre.
Higher education and research are also growing areas of cooperation. Ireland is home to a large and vibrant Indian community of approximately 100,000 people. Indian students are increasingly choosing Irish universities, creating lifelong connections between the two countries.
New Initiatives to Boost Trade
Both governments are committed to further strengthening economic ties. In March 2025, Ireland and India agreed to establish a Joint Economic Commission to increase bilateral trade, investment and technology ties. The move builds on longstanding links and offers an opportunity to consult on trade and economic issues.
In September 2025, the Tánaiste launched a new Ireland-India Economic Advisory Panel. The panel is composed of senior India-based business people and aims to provide advice on deepening the economic relationship. Members include Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CEO of Biocon and Ireland’s Honorary Consul in Bangalore, and Noel Tata, Chairman of the Tata Trusts. The panel’s tasks include providing strategic advice on enhancing Ireland’s visibility and trade profile in India, and identifying emerging opportunities for Irish business, higher education, innovation, tourism and cultural exchange.
The EU-India Free Trade Agreement, finalised in early 2026, is expected to provide significant further opportunities. Trade between the EU and India is forecast to double following the finalisation of the trade deal. While the agreement offers “no early gains” for the Irish dairy sector, it will see tariffs reduced from 150 percent to 40 percent over a phased period, with reductions also applying to processed foods, sheepmeat and beer.
Looking Ahead
The future of Ireland-India trade looks bright. Minister Chambers, who undertook the first Irish ministerial visit to India following the EU-India free trade agreement, said: “Irish – India trade is currently worth €16bn and the new free trade agreement creates the potential for this to increase significantly in the period ahead which generates enormous opportunities for Ireland”.
There is also discussion of developing a direct airline route between Ireland and India. Minister Chambers met with airlines Air India and IndiGo with representatives from Dublin Airport Authority to discuss this possibility. A direct route would expand business opportunities and support better connectivity for the large Indian community living in Ireland.
The Tánaiste put it simply: “There is no doubt that there is so much more that we can do in this relationship”. With trade already at €16 billion and new agreements in place to facilitate further growth, the economic partnership between Ireland and India is set to become even stronger in the years ahead.