In the first official visit by a Taoiseach to India, Mr Ahern this week leads a senior ministerial, commercial and cultural delegation to Bangalore, New Delhi and Mumbai. This is an important initiative and a welcome one. It is a timely, if belated, recognition at the highest level of India's growing political and economic significance.
With one-sixth of the world's population, it is now the eleventh-largest economy. Projections forward to 2025 suggest that, with a continuation of its open policies and current growth rates, it could be the third-largest centre in the world economy along with the United States and China.
Despite the huge differences in scale, Ireland and India have much in common historically. It makes great sense to put relations on a new footing for the generation to come. Politically, there has been a warm bond of friendship between the two countries in the modern period.This goes back to the British colonial empire in which many Irish participated; but it includes, too, a long critical tradition about that system of rule, stretching from Edmund Burke to Eamon de Valera, after whom Mr Ahern is to open a new road in New Delhi. India's independence was in large part inspired by Ireland's experience. Since then, mutual relations could have developed more than they have actually done, politically, socially and economically. There is ample room for improvement in the coming period.
Mr Ahern's large accompanying delegation of business leaders clearly reflects these opportunities. Over 80 organisations will be represented, ranging from strategic information and communications technology to the biotechnology, health, education, tourism and arts sectors. They include a strong Northern Ireland contingent for the first time in an important initiative which could lay the seeds for more all-island economic co-operation in the international arena.
Bilateral trade, at €262 million, has a great potential for development, as does investment both ways. India has a huge and growing middle class numbering hundreds of millions and its internal consumer and industrial markets are rapidly expanding. There is also growing competition for international investment and for industrial and service employment of which it is important to be aware. A new Enterprise Ireland office in Mumbai is to open this year, which will help that process.
India's growing international role is closely related to the long-term opening up of its economy over the last 15 years, which has gathered real momentum more recently. The country's long-established democratic tradition, cultural pluralism and diversity are increasingly contrasted with that of China. Its foreign policy has shifted towards the United States in a reciprocal balancing act vis-à-vis China. Mr Ahern has championed a better understanding of, and engagement with, the Asian region during his time as Taoiseach. Hopefully, this visit will help to complete that vision.