Embassy of India - Dublin, Ireland

About US

Ambassador Profile

Mrs. Vijay Thakur Singh, Ambassador of the Republic of India, in Ireland arrived Dublin on 9 December 2016 and presented her credentials on 13 December 2016 to HE Mr Michael D. Higgins, President in a Credential Ceremony held at áras an Uachtaráin.

A career diplomat, Ambassador Singh joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1985. She served in Madrid from 1986 to 1989. She worked as Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Director from 1989 to 1999 in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran Division and then briefly in the UN Division as Director (UNES) from January to June 2000 at MEA, New Delhi. She worked as Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York from 2000 to 2003 and thereafter in Kabul from 2003 to 2005. She was Deputy Chief of the Mission in Madrid between 2006 and 2007.

From 2007 to 2012 she served as Joint Secretary in the President’s Secretariat and in 2012-13 she became Joint Secretary in the National Security Council Secretariat, New Delhi.

Before coming to Ireland as Ambassador of India she was High Commissioner of French Departments from 2013 to 2016.

Amb. Singh is a Masters in Economics.
She is married to Mr. Vishvjit Prithvijit Singh.

Embassy Officers

Name

Designation

Phone No.

Smt.Vijay Thakur Singh

Ambassador

4970969

amb.dublin@mea.gov.in

Shri Benjamin Besra

Counsellor (Consular)

4970806

cons.dublin@mea.gov.in

Shri Somnath Chatterjee

Counsellor (Pol, Press& Info, Com)

4970984

pol.dublin@mea.gov.in

com.dublin@mea.gov.in

Smt. Anita Shukla

First Secretary
(Edu./Cul.) & HOC

4970987

hoc.dublin@mea.gov.in
Shri C.M.M. Haris

Attaché (Administration)

4970843

admn.dublin@mea.gov.in

Smt. Kirti S. Bulani

Attaché (PS)

4970987

LIST OF INDIAN AMBASSADORS TO IRELAND

Sl. No.

Name

From

V.K Krishna Menon*

1949

1952

B.G Kher*

1952

1954

Vijaya Lakshimi Nehru Pandit *

1955

1961

M.C. Chagla

1962

1963

Raj Krishna Tandon

1965

1968

Anthony Grevi Meneses

1968

1971

S V Patel

1971

1974

Prithi Singh

1975

1977

Nagendra Nath Jha

1977

1979

Manabendra Shah

1980

1983

Kiran Kumar Doshi

1983

1986

Prem Shunker

1986

1990

R C Arora

1990

1991

C.P. Ravindranathan

1991

1992

S. N. Puri

1992

1994

H C S Dhody

1995

1998

Chokila Iyer

1999

2001

Prabhakar Menon

2001

2003

Saurabh Kumar

2003

2007

P.S. Raghavan

2007

2011

Debashish Chakravarty

2011

2013

Radhika Lal Lokesh

2013

2016

Vijay Thakur Singh

2016

Fact Sheet

Name of the Country
Ireland

Capital

Dublin

Total Area

70,723 km

Population

4,761 million (Census 2016)

Population of Dublin

1.904 billion

Currency

Euro
(€1= Rs.76.49) ORE-September 2017

Language (s) Spoken

English, Irish
English spoken by the majority, minority

Head of State (President)

H.E. Micheal D. Higgins (Since October 2011)
(Labour Party)

Prime Minister (An Taoiseach)
[Pronounced: On Taw-nish-ta]

H.E. Dr. Leo Varadkar (since 14 June 2017)
Fine Gael Party

Deputy Prime Minister (An Tanaiste) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Brexit

H.E. Simon Coveney
Fine Gael Party

GDP

USD 294.05bn (2017)

GRP Growth Rate (2017)

4.8%

GDP Per Capita PPP (2015)

US$ 66.787 (€59,567) [2015 – World Bank]

Rate of Inflation (CPI) February 2017

0.5%

Rate of Unemployment (2017)

6.4%

Total FDI

Total Irish Investment abroad (2015)
Total Foreign Investment into Ireland (2015)

€150 billion

€170 billion

Foreign Trade (2016)

Export: € 116.92 billion
Import: € 69.60 billion

Trade with India (2016)

India’s Export:US$ 525.79 million
India’s Import: US$ 551.51 million (As per Bilateral Brief)

India & Ireland

Brief of India-Ireland Bilateral Relations

India-Ireland interactions go back to the nineteenth century, when a significant number of Irishmen joined the British Civil Service, colonial medical and engineering services and colonial army regiments in India. During this period, Irish missionaries and educationists also spread out into all regions of India. These links were further strengthened by the connections between the nationalist movements of the two countries since the early years of the 20th century. Leaders of freedom movements of both countries inspired each other. The Prime Minister of India made an official visit to Ireland on September 23, 2015 and met Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The Prime Minister also met the Indian Community in Ireland at a Community Event organised by the Embassy.

Formal diplomatic links between India and Ireland were established in 1947. India opened an Embassy in Dublin in 1951. The Irish Embassy in New Delhi was set up in 1964 and the Honorary Consulates in Mumbai and Bengaluru in 1976 and 2000 respectively. New Honorary Consulates have been established in Chennai and Kolkata in 2010.

The people to people relations between the two countries were further strengthened after the crash of an Air India aircraft – Kanishka – off the southwestern coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985 in a terrorist bombing. The extraordinary level of solidarity, support and assistance extended by the local population to the victims’ families created a unique bond. A commemorative stone plaque was installed at the village of Ahakista which lies near the site of the crash and annual commemoration ceremony is organized by locals there. Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr.(Gen) V.K. Singh (Retd) attended the 30th anniversary of the crash held at Ahakista on June 23, 2015. PM Narendra Modi spoke to the Irish PM on 16 June 2017 and congratulated him on his election.

Since 2005, an Irish Minister has visited India on St. Patrick’s Day, the last such visit was that of Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan visited India in February 2017, Minister of State for Employment and Small Business, Mr. Pat Breen led a Trade delegation to India on 20 November 2016. And Minister for Public Expenditure Reforms, Mr. Brendan Howlin in March 2016. Other visits during 2013-15 included visits of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. James Reilly in March 2015, Minister for Children Ms. Frances Fitzgerald (St Patrick’s Day) in March 2013, Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Paschal Donohoe to participate in the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi in November 2013, Minister of State in the Department of Education and Skills, Research and Innovation, Mr. Damien English in November 2014 and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr. Richard Bruton in November 2013 and April 2014.

Major agreements signed between the two countries include (i) Agreement on Air Transport signed in February 1991; (ii) Agreement on Foreign Office Consultations signed in October 1993; (iii) MOU on Joint Working Group on Information Technology signed in April 2000; (iv) Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation signed in November 2000; (v) Agreement on Cooperation in Culture; (vi) Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and (vii) Agreement on Cooperation between Science Foundation Ireland(SFI) and Indian National Science Academy signed in 2006.

The last Foreign Office Consultations were held in Dublin in February 2015. Bilateral trade between India and Ireland in 2015-16 touched US $ 1.077 billion, exports from India was worth US$ 525.79 million and Imports US$ 551.51 million. Main items of Indian exports to Ireland include textiles, garments and clothing accessories, pharmaceuticals, light engineering goods and chemicals. Major items of Irish exports to India include telecommunications equipment, computer accessories, precision equipment and pharmaceuticals.

Major Indian companies which have presence in Ireland include Wockhardt, Sun Pharma, Reliance GeneMedix Ltd., Infosys, CG Global, First Source, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL, WIPRO, Deepak Fasteners, Jain Irrigation Europe, Aditi Technologies and Synowledge and NIIT.

Major Irish companies which have presence in India are CRH Taxback Group; Connolly Red Mills, Globoforce, ICON, Kerry Group, Diageo, Glanbia.

Of late, Ireland is becoming a significant destination for Indian students seeking higher education, particularly post-graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral students in the areas of engineering, technology, medicine, and management. There are over 2300 Indian students in Irish higher educational institutions.

There is an ICCR Chair on politics and international relations in the Dublin City University. Premier institutions of both countries have been cooperating with each other in the field of science and technology.

About 12,000 Irish tourists visit India every year. Likewise, Ireland has also become major tourist attraction for Indian tourists particularly after the introduction of common British Irish visa scheme. Electronic Tourist Visa facility was extended to Ireland w.e.f. 15 August 2015.

An ICCR-sponsored choir group, Nagaland Singing Ambassadors visited Ireland in November 2014 and another ICCR-sponsored 4-member musical group, Madras String quartet visited Dublin in July 2015.

The 1st International Day of Yoga was celebrated on 21st June at St. Anne’s Park, Clontarf, Dublin by the Embassy in collaboration with local Yoga institutes and the Indian community. The 2nd International Day of Yoga was celebrated at áras an Uachtaráin in the presence of Irish President and First Lady. Another celebration was organised at Dartmouth Square Park, Dublin and the third event was held at Wexford, Ireland. The 3rd International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated in Dublin on 17 June 2017 in collaboration with the Dublin City Council with enthusiastic participation from people of different walks of life, yoga instructors and yoga practitioners at the Dartmouth Square Park in Dublin. In addition to this, two more events were organized on 21 June to mark the 3rd International Day of Yoga. One was organized by Spiritual Earth in collaboration with Rejuvenate Ireland and Wexford Chamber at Wexford and second event was organized at the prestigious Dublin City Hall. The Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin was the Chief Guest.

There are about 30,000 Indians or Persons of Indian Origin in Ireland, of whom about 17,000 are Indian citizens. The bulk of the community is in healthcare (doctors and nurses), IT, engineering and senior management positions. The community is well-regarded locally and has integrated well into Irish society.

Website: http://www.indianembassy.ie/
Useful resources: https://www.facebook.com/IndiainIreland
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/IndiainIreland

Ahakista Memorial

The Air India Memorial at Ahakista in Co. Cork, Ireland

A modest memorial at Ahakista, Co.Cork, elegant in its simplicity, stands testimony to the tragedy of the crash of Air India Kanishka on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, not far from the memorial site. The plane was blown up in mid-air not long after it took off from Montreal en route to India on June 23rd 1985 in what was perhaps one of the worst acts of terrorism, killing all 329 passengers and crew members, a majority of them Canadian nationals of Indian origin, on board.

The spirit with which the people of Ahakista and the nearby areas rose to the occasion in solidarity with the families of the victims is a saga but a story largely unknown. Apart from emergency assistance in identifying the bodies and locating and collecting the debris, they opened their hearts and homes to complete strangers and generously put them up in their hour of grief. They continue to do so to this day, over three decades later.

Out of the ruins of a tragedy, there was thus born a unique, and most beautiful, bond of friendship between the Irish and Indian peoples. 30th Anniversary Commemoration on June 23, 2015 was attended by Minister of State for External Affairs, Retd. Gen.V.K.Singh along with Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan and the Canadian Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Peter McKay.

Scholarship at Kendriya Hindi Sansthan

Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra is inviting application forms under the scheme of “Propagation of Hindi Abroad at Kendriya Hindi Sansthan” Agra, for the academic session 2016-17. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Goverment of India.

For more information, please visit: www.khsindia.org

Useful resources

India Education

Education for All in India:http://www.educationforallinindia.comEducation India:http://education-india.inMinistry of Human Resource Development:http://mhrd.gov.inDepartment of Science and Technology:http://203.200.89.92/dst/stsysindia/about-sys.htmCentre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) :http://www.cdac.inCentre for Advanced Technology:http://www.cat.ernet.in/Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR):http://rdpp.csir.res.in/csir_acsir/Home.aspxDepartment of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR):http://dsir.nic.in/Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO):http://www.isro.orgAssociation of Indian Universities:http://www.aiuweb.orgEducational Consultants India Ltd (EDCIL) :http://www.edcilindia.co.in

Trade and Investments in India

Invest India:http://www.investindia.gov.inIndian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF):http://www.ibef.org/The Associated Chambers of Commere and Industry of India:http://www.assocham.org/Business Knowledge Resource Online:http://business.gov.in/Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry:http://www.ficci.com/Reserve Bank of India:http://www.rbi.org.in/home.aspxNational Centre for Trade Information:http://www.ncti-india.comBureau of Industrial Costs and Prices:http://www.tc.nic.inIndia Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO):http://www.indiatradefair.comConfederation of Indian Industry (CII):http://www.cii.inMinistry of Food Processing Industries:http://103.247.98.218/~mofpi/

Tenders

Maintenance work
Painting job in Chancery
Notice Inviting Tender by Directorate of Logistics, Central Board of Excise and Customs, Department of Revenue for supply, installation and commissioning of (i) Differential Scanning Calorimeter [No.07(AS)2018]; (ii) Thermos Gravimetric Analyzer [No.08(AS)/2018]; (iii) Automatic Bomb Calorimeter [No.09(AS)/2018]; and (iv) Absorbable Organic Halogen Analyzer [No.10/(AS)/2018] for laboratories of Customs

India Tourism

Incredible India :http://www.incredibleindia.org/Indian Tourism Development Corporation Ltd:http://www.theashokgroup.comIndia Government Tourism :http://india.gov.in/citizen/travel.php?id=8Tourism India:http://www.tourisminindia.com/Tourism India :http://www.tourism-india.com/All India Travel and Tourism :http://www.india-tour.comIndian Railways online booking:https://www.irctc.co.in/

India Medical Tourism

India Medical Tourism
Department of Ayush:http://indianmedicine.nic.inMedical Tourism India:http://www.medicaltourisminindia.org/

50 YEARS OF INDO-FRENCH SPACE CO-OPERATION

Indian Diplomacy At Work

Bringing Benefits to Mankind
ISRO & CNES scientists working on Megha-Tropiques satellite
A time-tested partnership
India and France view each
other as important partners in
Space Technology and
Applications and have a vibrant
bilateral co-operation for more
than five decades. Since 1964,
the Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO – Indian
government space agency) and
Centre National d’Etudes
Spatiales (CNES – French
government space agency) have a
longstanding partnership for
peaceful uses of outer space.
This longstanding partnership
Birth and evolution of space
co-operation
The partnership began in May 1964 when
India and France entered into a protocol
agreement for co-operation in space
research. India was provided with four
French Centaure rockets with payloads for
vapor cloud experiments. Later, under the
supervision of the French team, 50
sounding rockets were realized and
launched from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket
Launching Station (TERLS) near Trivandrum
in Kerala. Drawing from this experience, a
series of Rohini sounding rockets were
developed by India for conducting
scientific and technological experiments.
led to the realization of world-class joint projects whose scientific
outputs have benefitted the entire scientific community.
The 1970s saw the transfer of
technology for the Viking liquid
rocket engines from France to
India. A group of Indian
scientists worked at French
facilities for helping to develop
the earth storable propulsion
engine. The Viking engine later
evolved into the present day high
performance Vikas engine used in
PSLV and GSLV. In June 1977, a
co-operation agreement in the
space field was signed between the
two countries. Following this,
India’s first experimental
communication satellite (APPLE)
was launched by the French Ariane1 (V-3) launch vehicle in 1981.
Another Indian communication
satellite, INSAT-1C was launched
on-board French Ariane-3 launch
vehicle in 1988.
In the 1990s, five of the Indian 2nd
generation communication satellites
were launched onboard Ariane-4 launch
vehicle on commercial basis. These
satellites were INSAT-2DT, INSAT-2A,
INSAT-2B, INSAT-2C and INSAT-2E. All
the earth satellite (the Moon) were successfully
placed in the pre-determined orbits
and served their useful service life.
For strengthening and increasing the
co-operation between ISRO and CNES,
an agreement was signed in November
1993 This agreement included study
of co-operative programs in
satellites and balloons for space
research and applications. This
followed another agreement in 1998
where Space was defined as a pillar
of strategic partnership between the
two countries.
INSAT-4B Satellite (2007)
As many as six Indian communication
satellites were launched on-board Ariane-5
rockets on commercial basis during the
period 2000 to 2010. These included INSAT3B, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3A, INSAT-3E, INSAT-4A
and INSAT-4B. During this period, the mass
of the satellites gradually increased from 2
tonnes to 3 tonnes thereby increasing their
transponder carrying capacity. An IndoFrench framework agreement was signed in
September 2008 in order to set up joint
research programmes, instruments and
satellites. This agreement covered the
following important areas of mutual interest
among others:
• Study of climate change with earth
observation satellites.
• Development of micro satellites and
mini-satellites for scientific purposes
• Joint research and development
activities
• Development of ground infrastructure for
joint satellite missions
• Organization of combined training
programmes
• Exchange of technical and scientific
personnel
The importance of this co-operation was
underlined by the visit of the French
President to ISRO in 2010. This period saw
a new beginning of development of joint
satellites between the two countries.
Development of joint satellites
On October 12, 2011, India’s PSLV-C18 successfully injected into orbit a
1000-kilogram Indo-French weather observation satellite called Megha-Tropiques
(Megha meaning ‘clouds’ in Sanskrit and Tropiques meaning tropics in
French). This satellite was jointly developed, realized and operated by the
two countries. For the last three years, the satellite has been monitoring the
atmospheric water vapour, rains, clouds and temperature in the tropical belts
on either sides of the Equator. The scientific data received from the
satellite has been very useful and is periodically reviewed by the Joint
Steering Committee on Megha-Tropiques.
SARAL integrated with PSLV C-20 (2013)
Another satellite, SARAL (Satellite
with ARgos and ALtika) jointly
developed by ISRO and CNES, was
launched on-board PSLV C-20 on 25
February 2013. This satellite uses
precise radar altimetry for
oceanographic studies such as
observation of ice, coastal areas,
continental water bodies and the waves
height. The satellite has also helped
in better understanding of climate and
weather forecasting capabilities
through improvement in coupled oceanatmosphere models and bio-chemistry
models. A Statement of Intent for
SPOT-6 satellite (2012)
Interaction with commercial enterprises:
Under a commercial launch service
agreement between Antrix Corporation
Limited , the commercial arm of ISRO and
EADS-Astrium, France, an advanced remote
sensing satellite, SPOT-6 built by EADSAstrium was successfully launched
onboard PSLV C-21 on September 9, 2012.
The next satellite in the series, SPOT-7
was successfully launched by PSLV C-23
on June 30, 2014. Together, the two
satellites with highly responsive
sensors, wide swath and high resolution
have enhanced the remote sensing
capacity. Earlier, ISRO was also
involved in the realization of HYLAS
(acronym for Highly Adaptable Satellite) satellite with EADS-Astrium for high
definition television and interactive broadband services for European
countries. French industries have also proven to be reliable suppliers for
components, spares and equipment for the
Long-Term Co-operation in Space between India and France was signed between
Chairman ISRO and President CNES on 14 February 2013.
Indian Space Programme. The Bangalore Space Expo held in November 2014 was
well attended by leading industries from France.
The Future Ahead
The latest bilateral meeting
between the heads of space agencies
of India and France was held on 21st
November 2014. This meeting reviewed
the progress of co-operation in both
Science and Technology areas. The
agencies are working together on
range of issues from developing small
satellites to weather prediction and
climate change. France and India have
agreed to have follow-on missions
with SAPHIR and ALTIKA instruments
and accommodating ARGOS instrument in
ISRO’s Earth Observation mission.
France is considering flying
instruments on the ambitious
planetary exploration missions that
India is preparing.
Arianespace continues to provide reliable launch services for Indian
communication satellites on a commercial basis. Four Indian satellites,
incuding the recent GSAT-16, have been launched by Arianespace in last three
years. The next telecommunication satellite, GSAT-15, is scheduled to be
launched on-board Ariane-5 rocket during the third quarter of 2015.
Above all, the two space agencies are continually exploring areas of
research and technology where they could join together to solve the issues
faced by the two countries. To commemorate the completion of 50 years of
excellent co-operation in space, India and France have signed an MOU to
release joint stamps in the year 2015.

Le satellite GSAT-10 dans une chambre
thermovacuum (2012)

UN SECURITY COUNCIL REFORMS

Our View
India believes that the United Nations (UN),
especially the UN Security Council (UNSC), must reflect
contemporary global realities. For this purpose the reform of
the UN including the expansion of the UNSC in both
permanent and non-permanent categories is essential. To this
end, the Government of India has been actively working
along with other like-minded countries for building support
among the UN membership for a meaningful restructuring
and expansion of the UNSC.
Why UNSC reform is necessary
UNSC still reflects the geopolitical architecture of the Second
World War.
Expanded only once in 1963 to add 4 non permanent
members.
San Francisco Conference: India Signs United Nations Charter, 26 June 1945
Sir A. Ramaswami Mudaliar, Supply Member of the Governor-General’s Executive Council
and leader of the delegation of India, signs the United Nations Charter.
Since then the membership of the United Nations has
increased from 113 to 193 without any change in the
composition of the UNSC.
No permanent member from Africa, despite 75% of work of
the UNSC focused on Africa.
Unable to respond effectively to situations of international
conflict.
India’s credentials
The Government of India has strongly put across to the
international community India’s case for permanent
membership of the Security Council which is based on India’s
extensive contribution to the activities of the UN particularly
the maintenance of international peace and security. By any
objective criteria such as population, territorial size, GDP,
economic potential, civilizational legacy, cultural diversity,
political system and past and on-going contributions to the
activities of the UN - especially to UN peacekeeping
operations - India is eminently suited for permanent
membership of an expanded UNSC. India’s performance as a
non-permanent member of the Security Council during 2011-
2012 has also significantly strengthened India’s claim to
permanent membership.
India and the UNSC: India has served as a non-permanent
member of the UNSC for 7 terms, viz. in 1950 – 1951, 1967 –
1968, 1972 – 1973, 1977 – 1978, 1984 – 1985, 1991 – 1992,
and 2011 – 2012. India has again put forth its candidature for
the 2021-22 term.
Efforts by India
India along with Brazil, Japan and Germany (together known as
the G-4) has proposed expansion of the membership of the
UNSC in both the permanent and non-permanent categories.
Separately, India is spearheading a group of around 42
developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America –
called the L.69 Group – which has demanded urgent action on
the UNSC reform front. With a view to harness the support of
the 54-member strong African Group, the L.69 has engaged in
discussions with the Committee of C-10 of the African Union to
evolve a joint position on UNSC reform.
India is also pursuing the matter through bilateral channels
with our interlocutors. A large number of countries have
supported India’s initiatives for reform of the UNSC as well as
endorsed its candidature for permanent membership.
Year 2015
There is also broad support for the idea that there should a
concrete outcome on the issue of UNSC reform in 2015, which
will mark the 70th anniversary of the UN and the 10th
anniversary of the 2005 World Summit which had called for
‘early’ reform of the UNSC.

Selected Bibliography on UNSC Reform
Bosco, L. David. Five to Rule them All: The UN Security Council
and the Making of the Modern World. New York, USA: Oxford
University Press, 2009.
Gharekhan, R Chinmaya. The Horse Shoe Table. New Delhi,
India: Dorling Kindersley, 2006.
Hassler, Sabine. Reforming the UN Security Council: The
Illusion of Representativeness. New York, USA: Routledge,
2013
Kennedy, Paul. The Parliament of Man: The Past, Present, and
Future of the United Nations. New York, USA: Vintage House,
2006
Luck, C. Edward. UN Security Council: Practice and Promise.
New York, USA: Routledge, 2006.
Mahbubani, Kishore. The New Asian Hemisphere: The
Irresistable Shift of Global Power to the East. New York, USA:
Public Affairs, January 2008.
Malone, M. David. The UN Security Council: From Cold War to
the 21st Century. Colorado, USA: Lynne Rienner Publishers,
2004
Traub, James. The Best Intentions: Kofi Annan and the UN in
the Era of American World Power. New York, USA: Picador,
October 2007.
Traub, James. The Freedom Agenda: Why America Must
Promote Democracy (Just not the way George Bush did) New
York, USA: Picador, October 2009.
Zifcak, Spencer. United Nations Reform: Heading North or
South? New York, USA: Routledge, 2009.
Bolton, John. Surrender is not an Option: Defending America at
the United Nations and Abroad. New York, USA: Threshold
Editions, July 2008.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Earth’s climate determines, to a very large extent, the sustainability of human habitat.
While the climate experiences dramatic swings over long periods of time due to natural
reasons, a new element of anthropogenic (human induced) global warming of
atmosphere has been introduced after the industrial era began, adding an
unprecedented and urgent dimension to climate change. The consequences of global
warming are believed to result in increasing frequency of floods, droughts, extreme
weather events, melting of ice caps and glaciers, impact on ocean currents and oceanatmosphere cycles, ocean acidification, rising sea levels/coastal flooding threatening
small islands and deltas, shrinking forests, impacting food security, fresh water
availability and loss of biodiversity. As the understanding of the global impact of human
induced climate change grew, countries of the world came together to negotiate
agreements to collectively address this increasing problem.
The GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions primarily result from burning of fossil fuels (oil,
gas, coal) in industrial production, road/rail/aviation/ maritime transportation, power
generation, buildings, agriculture etc. All these are important sectors for economic
development. Therefore, any international commitments or voluntary pledges that may
be undertaken as a result of negotiations on ways to address climate change impact on
options for economic/ development pathways; technology and energy sources that
countries can pursue, making this an international economic competitiveness issue.
This makes the negotiations especially contentious. While the developed countries have
prospered following fossil fuel based industrialization and very high per capita energy
consumption, the developing countries still have very low per capita energy
consumption and face massive challenges of development and can scarcely afford
reducing their energy consumption.
The concerns, positions and expectations of countries towards the climate change
negotiations are defined, to a large extent, by their energy profile; their historical
experience and development stage; and their specific perceived vulnerabilities to
impacts of climate change or dependence on fossil fuels besides other international
dynamics and concerns including those relating to economic competitiveness.
International negotiations on Climate Change are being conducted under the UNFCCC
(UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) aimed at finalizing arrangements
specifying the efforts to be undertaken by various countries to combat human induced
global warming. The UNFCCC was finalized in 1992 and ratified in 1994. The
arrangements agreed under the UNFCCC so far cover the period upto 2020. The legally
binding agreements valid so far (Kyoto Protocol of 1997, which entered into force in
2005) have prescribed ‘absolute’ greenhouse gases (GHG) emission reduction targets
applicable to a group of industrialised countries (Annex-I Parties), as part of their
‘historic responsibility’ for having caused global warming through their industries and
other uses of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution. The Annex-I countries are also
required to provide financial assistance and technological know-how to the developing
countries to enable them to shift to more environmentally sensitive economic pathways.
The first Principle of the Convention states that ‘The Parties should protect the climate
system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of
equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and
respective capabilities. Accordingly, the developed country Parties should take the lead
in combating climate change and the adverse effects thereof’. Parties agreed to record
their GHG emissions and publish yearly summaries. The preamble noted that ‘the largest
share of historical and current global emissions of greenhouse gases has originated in
developed countries, that per capita emissions in developing countries are still relatively
low and that the share of global emissions originating in developing countries will grow to
meet their social and development needs’. Article 4.7 states that the extent of the
effective implementation of commitments by developing countries under the Convention
will depend on financial resources and technology provided by developed countries and
will take fully into account that economic and social development and poverty eradication
are the first and overriding priorities of developing country parties.
The developing countries have been exempt from making any legally binding emission
cuts so far, although many (including China and India) have made voluntary pledges in
2009 mostly to reduce the energy intensity of their economies (not absolute emission
cuts) as part of their responsible behaviour and in their own interest. Developed
countries are pushing for large developing countries to also undertake further binding
commitments.
While the 1992 UNFCCC agreement and the subsequent Kyoto Protocol clearly defined
the different sets of commitments for developing and developed countries (on the basis
of principles of historical responsibility, CBDR, respective capabilities and equity which
flow from the 1987 Montreal Protocol on controlling the Ozone depleting substances and
the 1992 Rio Declaration on sustainable development), the non-ratification of the Kyoto
Protocol by the US (the largest emitter at the time and the largest historical emitter) led
to a situation where many other developed countries also said that they would opt out
unless the US undertook similar legally binding commitments. The US made any
participation in this process conditional to large developing countries also taking on
emission cuts. Several developed countries continue to stay outside the Kyoto Protocol
(which will be valid until 2020).
Negotiations are now underway to finalize by December 2015 a single agreement
applicable to all parties to cover the post 2020 period. All countries are required to
convey their ‘intended nationally determined contributions’ before the 2015 agreement.
The developed country parties under the two Annexes have not shown much enthusiasm
to fulfill their commitments on emission cuts or to provide finance and technology to
developing countries.
The developed countries (Annex I parties) have clearly failed to honour their
commitments made under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol – both relating to
emission reduction and provision of finance and technology to developing countries.
Despite the vast disparity between the living standards of people in developing and
developed countries and in their per capita consumption of energy, the developed countries
are pushing the developing countries, especially those with growing economies, to accept
various constraints without honouring their own commitments. At the same time, various
studies have shown that the developing countries on their own voluntarily have been doing
more in recent years to tackle the climate change challenges within their countries in
reducing the emission intensity of their GDP growth through opting for greener
technologies, renewable energy, improving energy efficiency etc.
INDIA
The Indian civilization has long believed in the virtues of living in harmony with nature.
Rivers, forests, trees, mountains, flora and fauna have been held sacred by these ancient
traditions, which revered earth as mother. The need for preservation of environment and
ecology and the duty of rulers in this regard find extensive references in ancient Indian
texts.
At the 1972 UN Conference on Man and Environment in Stockholm, India’s Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi highlighted the link between development and environment and stated that
poverty was the greatest polluter.
Today, India, with 17% of the world’s population, accounts for around 4% of current annual
global CO2 emissions. However, in terms of per capita, India’s CO2 emissions are a very
small fraction as compared to the big emitters.
In recent years, India has achieved significant success in lifting large sections of its
population out of poverty through inclusive economic growth. However, the scale of
challenge remains vast. Despite being a growing economy, India has a long way to go to
provide a decent standard of living to all of its people. This would require continuing
increase in energy use and other resources, including financial resources. Given the nature
of India’s energy sources, its energy mix, likely several developed and developing
countries, is likely to continue to be dependent mainly on fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) over
the medium term. In view of the massive scale of India’s development needs and priorities
of poverty alleviation, to bring access to energy and other resources to its people,
continued economic growth is essential.
In his address at the 2007 G 8 plus 5 meeting at Heiligendamm, Germany India’s Prime
Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh stated India’s determination that ‘India’s per-capita GHG
emissions are not going to exceed those of developed countries even while pursuing
policies of development and economic growth’.
In 2009 just before the Copenhagen COP meeting, India also made a voluntary pledge on
emission intensity reduction (20-25% by 2020 over 2005 levels). In 2010 this pledge was
inscribed into the UNFCCC (alongwith those by several other developing countries).
The Government of India recognizes the importance and scale of the problems associated
with global warming and the adverse impacts of climate change especially on sectors such
as agriculture, forestry and water. The Government has pursued an ambitious National
Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) comprising eight national Missions (including
ones on solar energy and on energy efficiency) to turn its growth and development
pathways to a more sustainable trajectory. Most of the States have also drawn up their
action plans on climate change.
Some of the ongoing climate change adaptation programmes in India include : crop
improvement research, drought proofing (reducing impacts on crops and livestock,
productivity of land, water and human resources), afforestation, conservation/recharge of
ground water, rain water harvesting, protection of sensitive coastal ecosystems,
surveillance and control of vector borne diseases, capacity building for emergency
medical relief, risk financing through crop insurance schemes and credit support
mechanisms, disaster risk reduction and management measures.
Some of the ongoing GHG mitigation programmes besides the National Missions include
promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy including biofuels, accelerated
development of nuclear and hydro power, R&D on clean energy technologies, energy
labeling for appliances, Energy Conservation Building Code, energy audit of large
industrial consumers, promotion of mass transport, clean air initiatives and the promotion
of energy saving devices (fluorescent lamps, solar water heater).
The National Solar Mission aims to promote solar thermal power generation, solar
photovoltaic generation, R&D collaboration, technology transfer and capacity building. The
national Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency in Industry focuses on the development
of sector specific and cross cutting GHG mitigation technology options, fuel switch,
potential for emission reduction, co-benefits in terms of reduced fuel and material use
leading to reduced emissions and improvement in quality of products, technology transfer,
financing, capacity building, policy and regulatory options, delivery options (retrofits by
institutional finance, SME cluster development and the promotion of ESCOs Energy
Service Companies and Energy Efficiency Financing platforms alongwith the Bureau of
Energy Efficiency.
In May 2014 the Ministry of Environment and Forests has been renamed as the Ministry
of Environment, Forests and Climate Change reflecting the importance attached by the
Government to meeting the challenge of climate change. In his 2014 Independence Day
speech, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi called for manufacturing sector to try and
make products which have ‘zero effect’ or no adverse impact on the environment. The
Government is also laying high priority to cleaning of rivers.
In the most recent Union Budget (2014-2015) India has doubled the Clean Energy cess
on coal, peat and lignite (to Rs. 100 per tonne) to augment the funds to address climate
change. A National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change is being set up with a funding of
around US$ 18 million. A National Institute on Climate Change is also being set up. A sum
of around US$ 90 million has been allocated for setting up of Ultra Mega Solar projects in
five states. A sum of around US$ 18 million has been allocated for Ultra Modern Super
Critical Coal based Thermal Power Technology. A sum of around US$ 72 million has
been allocated for a new scheme aimed at solar power driven agricultural pump sets
and water pumping stations. A sum of around US$ 18 million has been allocated to
develop 1 MW Solar Parks on the banks of canals.
At the UNFCCC negotiating process India has been an active negotiator. India has
continued to highlight the need to consider development imperatives of developing
countries. India is a strong proponent of the CBDR and equity principles. India stresses
that the developed countries have to fulfill their commitments under the Convention
regarding their emissions cuts, assistance to developing countries in terms of financial
assistance and transfer of technology.
India aligns itself closely with the G-77 (since the start of negotiations), the BASIC
group (since 2009 Copenhagen meeting) and the LMDC (since 2011 Durban meeting).
The BASIC group comprises Brazil, South Africa, India and China. LMDC (Like Minded
Developing Countries) is a group of around 25-30 countries.
All countries are now required to submit their ‘intended nationally determined
contributions’ (INDCs) in the lead up to the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP) to be
held in Paris in December 2015. While the developed countries are primarily interested
in eliciting mitigation pledges from the developing countries, the developing countries
insist that INDCs should also include adaptation and means of implementation.
India looks forward to actively engage in the UNFCCC process to develop a
comprehensive, balanced and equitable post 2020 agreement that takes into account
the development needs of developing countries and addresses the climate change
issues adequately through mitigation, adaptation and facilitation of financing, technology
and capacity building for developing countries in a genuinely collaborative global effort.

INDIA & THE GREAT WAR

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.” - Excerpts from For the Fallen
Laurance Binyon (1869-1943)

The First World War (1914-1918) was a watershed event in
modern world history. India contributed immensely to the war
effort in terms of both men and material.
Indian soldiers served with credit and honour in numerous
battlefields around the globe in - France and Belgium, in
Aden, Arabia, East Africa, Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia,
Palestine, Persia, Salonica, Russia, and even in China.
A total of 1.1 million Indians served overseas in the war
and 60,000 dead.
Indians earned over 9,200 decorations for gallantry
including 11 Victoria Crosses.
To mark the occasion and highlight the pivotal role of
India in the war, the USI Centre for Armed Forces
Historical Research (CAFHR) in cooperation with the
Ministry of External Affairs has drawn up a plan to use the
Centenary commemoration of the Great War as a medium to
emphasise the sterling contribution made by the Indian Army
towards the establishment of world peace. Major categories of
Courtesy - http://www.cwgc.org/
events and programmes being planned include:
Ceremonial participation by the representatives of the
Indian armed forces in events organized overseas including
in Turkey, France, Belgium and UK (there are pending proposals
for events in New Zealand and Australia)
Commemoration activities, including exhibitions in India
in collaboration with the USI and Army Headquarters.
MEA sponsored films, publications (including the latest
Coffee table book ‘The Last Post’) and special projects, and
proposed events planned and built around them.
Association with and participation in International seminars
and conference (by MEA and USI), both in India and overseas.
Activities by the Indian Missions overseas to highlight and
project the sacrifice of Indian soldiers in the World War-I.
Read online
Read on Magzter
Reated Book: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOREVERMORE INDIA AND THE FIRST WORLD WAR

General Information regarding passport and Consular Attestation Service

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has set a deadline of the 24th November 2015 for globally phasing out all non-Machine Readable Passports (MRPs). From 25th November 2015 onwards, foreign Governments may deny visa or entry to any person travelling with a non-MRP passport.

All handwritten passports with pasted photos earlier issued by Government of India are considered non-MRP passports. All 20-year validity passports will also fall in this category.

The Government started issuing MRP passports since 2001. All new Indian passports are ICAO-compliant MRP passports.

Indian citizens residing in India and abroad and holding handwritten passports as well as 20-year passports with validity beyond the 24th November 2015, should, therefore, apply for re-issue of passports and obtain MRP passports well before the deadline in order to avoid any inconvenience in obtaining foreign visa or immigration problem.

FAQs

Business Visa

Q .No.1: What is a Business Visa?

Business Visa is granted to a foreign national who wants to visit India to establish an industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture, or wants to purchase/sell industrial products in India. This Visa is granted subject to following conditions:-

(i) The applicant is a person of assured financial standing and expertise in the field of the intended business.

(ii) The applicant is not visiting India for the business of money lending or petty trading, or for a full time employment in India involving payment of salary in India etc.

(iii)The facility of Business Visa will also be extended to senior executives of firms, experts, tour conductors and travel agents, etc., visiting India in connection with work related to projects of national importance, including those undertaken by public sector undertakings, and conducting business tours of foreigners or business relating to it, etc.

(iv) A foreign national will have to comply with all other requirements like payment of tax liabilities etc.

(v)The grant of Business Visa is subject to any instructions issued by the Government of India on the basis of reciprocity with other foreign countries from time to time.

(v) The Business Visa must be issued from the country of origin, or from the country of domicile of the foreigner provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is for more than 2 years.

Q .No.2: Who are eligible for a Business Visa?

(i)Foreign nationals who want to visit India to establish industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture in India

(ii)Foreign nationals coming to India to purchase/sell industrial products or commercial products or consumer durables.

(iii)Foreign nationals coming to India for technical meetings/discussions, attending Board meetings, general meetings for providing business services support.

(iv)Foreign nationals coming to India for recruitment of manpower.

(v)Foreign nationals who are partners in the Business and/or functioning as Directors in the company.

(vi)Foreign nationals coming to India for consultations regarding exhibitions, for participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business fairs, etc.

(vii)Foreign buyers who come to transact business with suppliers/ potential suppliers at locations in India, to evaluate or monitor quality, give specifications, place orders, negotiate further supplies etc., relating to goods or services procured from India.

(viii)Foreign experts/specialists on a visit of short duration in connection with an ongoing project with the objective of monitoring the progress of the work, conducting meetings with Indian customers and/or to provide some high level technical guidance.

(ix)Foreign nationals coming to India for pre-sales or post-sales activity not amounting to actual execution of any contract or project.

(x)Foreign Trainees of multinational companies/corporate houses coming for in-house training in the regional hubs of the concerned company located in India.

(xi)Foreign students sponsored by AIESEC for internship on project based work in companies/industries

(xii) Foreign experts coming to India for imparting training for the personnel of the Indian company.

Q .No.3: What is the duration of a Business Visa?
Business Visa with multiple entry facilities is granted for a maximu period up to 5 years. A stay stipulation may be prescribed for each visit by the concerned Indian Mission.

Q .No.4 : Can foreign nationals coming to execute projects in India be granted Business Visas?
No. A foreign national coming for executing projects/contracts will have to come only on an Employment Visa.

Q.No.5: Can foreign nationals already in India for executing projects on Business Visas extend their Business Visas?

No.

Q.No.6: Can foreign nationals already in India for executing projects on Business Visas be allowed to convert their Business Visas to Employment Visas without leaving the country?

Q .No.7: Which category of Visa will be granted to family members of foreign nationals coming to India on Business Visas?

Indian Missions may grant an ‘X’ Visa [i.e. a Dependent Visa] to the family members of a foreign national granted a Business Visa at their discretion, subject to usual security checks provided the family members are otherwise eligible for grant of such a Visa.

Employment Visa

Q .No.8: What is an Employment Visa?

An Employment Visa (Specified ‘E’) may be granted to a foreigner subject to the fulfilment of the following conditions:-
(i) The applicant is a highly skilled/skilled and qualified professional or person who is being engaged or appointed by a company, organization, industry, or undertaking, etc. in India on contract or employment basis at a senior level, skilled position such as technical expert, senior executive, or in a managerial position, etc.
(ii) Employment Visa should not be granted for jobs for which large number of qualified Indians are available. Furthermore, Employment Visa should not be granted for routine, ordinary or secretarial/clerical jobs.
(iii) The salary of the foreign national employed should not be less than Rs.16.25 lakhs per annum.
(iv) The foreign national should be coming for employment in companies registered in India.
(v) In respect of foreign nationals engaged as teaching faculty at the level of assistant professor and above by the Central Higher Education Institutes the minimum salary limit for grant of employment visa is Rs.9.10 lakhs per annum
(vi) The foreign national should not be a persona-non-gratia to the Government of India.
(vii) The foreign national should not be on any warning circular or other restrictive list.
(viii) The foreign national will have to comply with all other requirements like payment of tax liabilities etc.
(ix) The foreign national must submit proof of his/her employment or contract or engagement by the company/organization, etc. in India.
(xi) The foreign national must submit documentary proof of his educational qualifications and professional expertise.
(xi) Foreign teaching faculty employed in South Asian University and Nalanda University will be exempted from minimum salary limit for the grant of employment visa.

Q .No.9 : Who are eligible for Employment Visa?

Following categories of foreign nationals may be granted Employment visa subject to the fulfillment of the conditions mentioned above:-

Foreign nationals coming to India as consultant on contract for whom the Indian company pays a fixed remuneration, (may not be in the form of monthly salary).

Foreign artists engaged to conduct regular performances for the duration of the employment contract given by Hotels, Clubs, other organizations.

Foreign nationals who are coming to India to take up employment as coaches.

Foreign sportsmen who are given contract for a specified period by the Indian Clubs/organizations.

Self-employed foreign nationals coming to India for providing engineering, medical, accounting, legal or such other highly skilled services in their capacity as independent consultants.

Foreign language teachers/ interpreters.

Foreign specialist Chefs.

Foreign engineers/technicians coming to India for installation and commissioning of equipments/ machines/ tools in terms of the contract for supply of such equipment/ machine/tools.

Foreign personnel deputed for providing technical support/services, transfer of know-how, services supplies for which the Indian company pays fees/royalty to the foreign company.

Q .No.10: What is the duration of an Employment Visa?

An Employment Visa will be valid for entry and stay into India within the period of its validity unless specified otherwise and subject to conditions specified. Validity of an Employment visa will be as specified below:

A foreign technician/expert coming to India in pursuance of a bilateral agreement between the Government of India and the foreign government, or in pursuance of a collaboration agreement that has been approved by the Government of India, may be granted an Employment visa for the duration of the agreement, or for a period of five years, whichever is less with multiple entry facilities.

A foreigner coming to India for employment not covered in (1) above (and also other than those being employed in IT software and IT enabled sectors) may be granted Employment visa with a validity up to two years or the term of assignment, whichever is less with multiple entry facility.

In the case of highly skilled/skilled foreign personnel being employed in the IT software and IT enabled sectors, the Missions/Posts may grant visa with validity up to 3 years or the term of assignment, whichever is less with multiple entry facility.

In case of Employment Visa issued for a period of 180 days or less, registration is not required with FRRO/FRO. The Missions/Posts issue multiple entry Employment Visas for a period of 180 days or less.

However, if the Employment visa is valid for a period of more than 180 days, it should carry an endorsement to the effect that the E-visa holder must register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival.

FRRO/FRO concerned may issue Residential Permit on registration for the validity of the visa period. However, if there is any change in the residential address, the foreign national concerned should immediately report the change of address to the FRRO/FRO concerned. (It may be mentioned that at present the Residential Permit is granted by the FRRO/FRO concerned for a period of one year only and the foreign national has to get this extended every year from the FRRO/FRO concerned).

The Employment visa can be extended by the State Governments/UT Administrations/FRROs/FROs beyond the initial visa validity period up to a total period of 5 years from the date of issue of the initial Employment Visa on year to year basis subject to good conduct, production of necessary documents in support of continued employment, filing of Income Tax returns and no adverse security inputs about the foreigner. The period of extension shall not go beyond five years from the date of issue of the initial Employment visa.

Q .No.11: Whether a foreign company/organization that does not have any Project Office/subsidiary/joint venture/branch office in India can sponsor a foreign national/employee of a foreign company for Employment Visa?

Ans. No.

Q .No.12: Whether an Indian company/organization which has awarded a contract for execution of a project to a foreign company that does not have any base in India, can sponsor employee of foreign company for Employment Visa?

Ans. Yes.

Q .No.13: If the Indian organization/entity sponsors an Employment Visa, does this mean that the Indian organization/entity has to necessarily be the legal employer of the person?

Ans. No.

Q .No.14: Which category of Visa will be granted to the foreign language teachers/interpreters?

Ans. Employment Visa

Q .No.15: Which category of Visa will be granted to the foreign specialist Chefs?

Ans. Employment Visa.

Q .No.16: Which type of Visa would be granted to senior management personnel and/or specialists employed by foreign firms who are relocated to India to work on specific project/management assignment?

Ans. Employment visa

Q .No.17: Visa to family members of a foreigner granted Employment visa.

Family members/dependants of a foreigner who is granted E' visa shall be grantedX’ visa subject to usual security checks provided the family members are otherwise eligible for grant of such a Visa. Its validity shall be co-terminus with the validity of the visa of the principal visa holder or for such shorter period as may be considered necessary by the Indian Mission.

CYBER FRAUD

It has come to the attention of the Embassy that cases of cyber fraud are being reported by businesses where the payments have been fraudulently forwarded to Banks in Ireland.

In such instances it is advisable to contact the police authorities and concerned Bank at the following address:

Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation

Harcourt Square, Harcourt Street

Dublin 2, D02DH42

Tel: +353 1 6663776/Fax: +353 1 6663798

Email : sean.g.mcclafferty@garda.ie

Contact details of major bank in Ireland are given as below

Bank of Ireland

Email: contactus@boi.com

Permanent TSB

Email: info@permanenttsb.ie

Ulster Bank

Link to Online complaint form

https://www.ulsterbank.com/microsites/CompForm/complaints_form.asp

AIB Bank

Link to Online Contact Form

https://aib.ie/personal-forms/contactusform

Right to Information RTI

Contact details of Officers for addressing applications under Right to Information Act, 2005:-
Public Information Officer

Mrs. Anita Shukla
First Secretary (Head of Chancery)
Telephone – 497 0987
E Mail – hoc.dublin@mea.gov.in

Appellate Authority

Mrs. Vijay Thakur Singh
Ambassador
Telephone – 4970969
E mail – amb.dublin@mea.gov.in

Applications seeking information under the Act may be sent along with the prescribed fee in Euros, equivalent to Indian Rupees Ten (10) in cheque or demand draft favouring ‘Embassy of India, Dublin’.

Information is provided under the Act to citizens of India only. Applications should be submitted along with documentary proof of Indian Citizenship (such as copy of personal particulars pages of passport). Further information is available at http://rti.gov.in. The mailing address is Embassy of India, 6 Leeson Park, Dublin-6.

As per section 6(1) (a) of the RTI Act, 2005, a person who desires to obtain information under the Act is required to submit the application to the Information Officer of the “concerned public authority”. Applicants are, therefore, advised to send their requests under the RTI Act to the Embassy only when the subject matter can reasonably be presumed to pertain to the Embassy. While section 6(3) provides for the transfer of an application by a receiving PIO to another [concerned] PIO, this is clearly meant to cover situations where the application is addressed to a PIO on the assumption that it has been directed to the concerned PIO. Where the information required obviously does not pertain to the Embassy, the application may be addressed to the concerned PIO directly.

Payment of RTI fee online - Electronic Indian Postal Order (eIPO)

Applications seeking information under the RTI Act, 2005
may be sent along with the prescribed fee Through e-IPO* ( Electronic Postal Order) OR in Euro,equivalent to Indian Rs.10/- in cash/cheque or demand draft favouring Embassy of India, Dublin. [The rate of exchange for a particular month may be ascertained from the Embassy].

Facility of e-IPO for payment of fee under the RTI Act, 2005 The Department of Personnel and Training and Department of Posts have launched a service called e-IPO (Electronic Indian Postal Order) to enable Indian Citizens residing in India or abroad to purchase an Indian Postal Order electronically by paying fee on-line through e-Post Office Portali.e. http://www.epostoffice.gov.in, to enable them to seek information under the RTI Act, 2005. It can also be accessed through India Post Website,i.e. www.indiapost.gov.in. An e-IPO so generated must be used only once with an RTI application.

The User needs to get himself registered at the website. He has to select the Ministry/Department from whom he desires to seek the information under theRTI Act and the e-IPO so generated can be used to seek information from that Ministry/Department only. A printout of the e-IPO is required to be attached with the RTI application. If the RTI application is being filed electronically, e- IPO is required to be attached as an attachment. For more details please visit the websitehttp://www.epostoffice.gov.in.
This facility is only for purchasing an Indian Postal Order electronically. All the requirements for filing an RTI application as well as other provisions regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions, etc. will continue to apply.

http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ and https://www.epostoffice.gov.in/

The Credit Card or Debit Card of any bank powered by Visa/ Master can be used for this purpose.

Procedure

The RTI applicant is required to register on the website to create his/ her profile. Thereafter the Ministry/ Department from whom information is desired has to be selected. The eIPO is generated which can be used to seek information from that Ministry/ Department only. A printout of the eIPO is required to be attached with the RTI application sent in hard copy. In case RTI application is filed electronically, the eIPO is enclosed as an attachment. The profile is required to be created only once.

The RTI application accompanied by an eIPO is similar in all respects to the RTI application accompanied by fees through any other approved mode. All the provisions regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions etc; as provided in the RTI Act, 2005 continue to apply.

Currently, this facility is available only for Indian Citizens living anywhere other than in India. By this measure, those living abroad would be facilitated to seek information under the RTI Act, 2005. It is hoped that in future, this facility would be extended to all citizens within the country too. Any public authority which accepts a postal order should also accept an eIPO.

Information about the Embassy, required under section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, 2005

Registration of Indian Nationals

If you are a person of Indian Origin, resident in Ireland, an Indian National on a short visit / working in Ireland, we request you to kindly register your details with the Embassy. This information will help us provide you with the requisite assistance. Information collected will be used only for your benefit, and will not be used to send unsolicited messages under ordinary circumstances. Registration with the Embassy is a voluntary exercise. Those who are interested may kindly fill in the form below:

Embassy of India, Dublin, Ireland

6 Leeson Park, Dublin 6, Ireland
Tel. : 00353-01-496 6787, 496 6792
Fax : 00353-1-4978074

Office Timings
Chancery - 09.00-17.30 hrs

Consular Section
Enquiries can be made by email or by telephone
Passport & OCI Services:passport.dublin@mea.gov.in
Visa and other services:visa.dublin@mea.gov.in
Counsellor (Cons): cons.dublin@mea.gov.in .

Visa/Consular queries (only telephonic): 01-4966787 (1400 hrs to 1600 hrs)

(Submission of documents) 0930-1200 hrs
(Collection of documents) 1600-1700 hrs

Emergency contact name and number: Mrs. BabitaBhasin - 00-353-899677454 (Only for death case, Medical Emergency and in Distress)