An organisation for the Indian diaspora in Ireland has been launched at Dublin Castle. Up to 10,000 people of Indian origin live in Ireland and the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio) has now set up an all-Ireland section.
Gopio is established in 110 countries, representing up to 25 million Indians living abroad, who earn an estimated collective income of $300 billion (€220 billion), equal to India's gross domestic product. According to the organisation, the diaspora sends home an estimated $23.5 billion in remittances.
According to Gopio founder Dr Thomas Abraham, "India needs faster economic, social and technological development, and Gopio Ireland will work towards encouraging investment and development of entrepreneurship" in Ireland by Indians and those of Indian origin.
Businessman and chairman of Gopio Ireland, Lord Rana of Malone, said the new all-Ireland section of Gopio "signals the changing political landscape and increased business collaboration between North and South", and he believed the organisation "will bring many benefits to this country".
Speaking at the launch last night, Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment John McGuinness highlighted the connections between Ireland and India.
Ireland, like India, had a major diaspora, and "this international network has served us well, and will continue to do so", he said. The Irish diaspora "has been a critical factor in creating a positive awareness of Ireland internationally, and has played no small part in our economic success in recent years".
Gopio, "in tapping into the potential of the network of 25 million people of Indian origin living outside India, mirrors many of our own goals and aspirations in the promotion of our country abroad".
Mr McGuinness also highlighted Éamon de Valera's connection with India.
"As far back as 1920, addressing the Friends of Freedom for India in New York in 1920, he made clear that he saw India and Ireland as having a common cause. 'Patriots of India,' he told his audience, 'your cause is identical with ours.'
"He and many other Irish leaders of his day appreciated the interest, understanding and sympathy which Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and other leaders showed towards Ireland as we moved towards independence. There is also a special link with India's fourth president, VV Giri, who, as a young man, studied in Ireland from 1913 to 1916."
Mr McGuinness pointed to India as a priority market in Ireland's Asia trade strategy and noted the shared recent history of economic growth. "India is today acknowledged as a key research and development destination because of its high-quality talent pool, while Ireland's dynamism has been similarly driven."
