India Day event celebrates 'freedom and friendship'

The organisers of India Day in Ireland have paid tribute to politicians and the gardaí for their response in the wake of a number of racial attacks last year.

The annual event to celebrate relations between the two countries was cancelled in 2025 over safety fears, but this year it returned with a celebration in Trim in Co Meath.

Chair of the Ireland India Council Prashant Shukla said the Indian community are very resilient, adding that this year's event was all about "friendship, celebration as well as peace and tranquilly".

"The Indian community is very resilient and thank God for the kind of response from political leadership of the country," Mr Shukla said.

He also praised the gardaí, who he said "were quite engaging".

The India Day event is usually held in Farmleigh in Dublin, but moved to Trim in Co Meath this year because of the EU Presidency.

"We are getting wonderful support from local businesses and from Meath County Council," Mr Shukla said.

"This is a celebration of freedom and friendship and the Ireland and India relationship," he added.

As well showcasing the heritage, traditions and music of India, the event was also about highlighting educational links and building business opportunities.

Around 10,000 Indian students are registered at Irish universities, the Ireland India Council estimates.

"I think that's about 20% of international students who come to study in Ireland," Mr Shukla said.

"Indian universities are looking at partnerships with Irish educational institutions too," he said.

Mr Shukla also said that in terms of business opportunities, renewable energy is a huge area of interest.

Earlier, business leaders from across Ireland held a panel discussion with Indian businesspeople.

"We would see that Ireland and India can work together very closely in terms of research and in terms of developing technology to meet the energy challenges in the world today," said Noel Gavigan, Technical Executive of the BioEnergy Association.

He said there are huge benefits culturally from such business ties.

"We get to know our partners not only in Europe, but also across the globe," he said.

There was music, dancing and fashion on show at the event.

Among those modelling was Aditi Singh.

She explained that her outfit had been designed by Poojan, an Indian woman living in Ireland who runs the Indian boutique, Sui Dhaghaa, in Dublin.

"She's an Indian designer bringing a little a piece of Indian heritage to Ireland" said Ms Singh, an Indian woman now living in Ireland.

She said: "The brand is grown in Ireland.

"Ireland has given wings to a lot of peoples dream, a lot of Indian girls dreams."