New Delhi: Hon’ble Union Minister for Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, led an Indian delegation in a bilateral meeting with H.E. Jack Chambers, Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform, and Digitalisation, at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi. The discussions focused on deepening collaboration in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, emerging technologies, and regulatory frameworks, highlighting the strong and friendly ties between the two countries.
The Indian delegation included Shri Amit Agrawal, Secretary of the Department of Telecom (DoT), and other senior officials, while the Irish delegation comprised Ambassador Kevin Kelly and senior officials from Ireland.
Strengthening the India–Ireland Digital Partnership
Both sides noted the complementarities between India’s scale and rapid deployment capabilities and Ireland’s research-driven innovation ecosystem and EU-aligned regulatory standards. Opportunities for structured collaboration between India’s DoT and Ireland’s Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), supported by academia, startups, and industry stakeholders, were emphasized.
Minister Scindia highlighted areas for collaboration, including quantum communications, artificial intelligence, regulatory innovation, and rural broadband services. He also sought Ireland’s support for India’s candidature at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), including India’s re-election to the ITU Council (2027–2030) and hosting the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in 2030.
A pleasure to meet Mr. Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Ireland today.
We discussed India’s transformative digital journey, from DPI, UPI and DBT to 5G expansion and explored deeper cooperation in Quantum… pic.twitter.com/fqBlGZkq6d
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) February 17, 2026
Scindia briefed the Irish delegation on India’s ICT transformation since 2014, noting over 1.23 billion telecom subscribers, nearly a billion internet users, and 5G coverage across 99.9% of districts. He highlighted India’s low-cost data tariffs, success in building Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and key initiatives such as UPI, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), DigiLocker, DigiYatra, and Sanchar Saathi for mobile security and digital inclusion.
Ireland’s Minister Chambers shared insights from Ireland’s National Broadband Plan, highlighting lessons for universal connectivity, especially in rural areas, and acknowledged the Indian community’s contribution to Ireland’s economy and innovation ecosystem. He also noted Ireland’s multi-billion-euro fiber rollout and expressed interest in expanding ICT trade and business collaboration.
Key Areas of Cooperation
Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in ICTs through structured engagement, capacity building, exchange of best practices, and G2G, G2B, and B2B dialogues. The discussions reaffirmed a shared commitment to open, secure, resilient, and interoperable digital ecosystems, fostering innovation, economic growth, and trusted global connectivity.