India is now much more respected in the world, said former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit in Mumbai. The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland.

Reflecting on India’s progress, Varadkar remarked, “Great to see the Metro under construction,” while also acknowledging “there’s inequality too.” He added that India is now “much more respected in the world.”

He recounted his first visit to Mumbai at age 14, saying, “I first came to Mumbai when I was a teenager, only 14 years old,” and noted that he has returned every five years to reconnect with family and observe India’s transformation.

As Ireland’s first mixed-race Taoiseach, Varadkar spoke about the visibility of his Irish-Indian heritage. Recalling his meeting with President Obama, he shared, “We were the tall, dark guys with the funny name,” noting that such experiences shape “your politics and makes you want to know more about the world.”

Discussing Irish nationalism and unification, Varadkar clarified, “I’m always careful about the word nationalism… it doesn’t mean thinking that your country is superior.” He supports Irish unification but identifies as “very much an internationalist.” Drawing connections to India’s colonial history, he noted that his Indian family includes freedom fighters and observed that Dr. Ambedkar drew from the Irish Constitution while framing India’s.

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On Brexit, Varadkar emphasised the importance of avoiding “a hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, recalling collaborations with British leaders to preserve the Good Friday Agreement. “It’s not just about economics… it’s people being able to get on a train in Dublin and get off in Belfast,” he explained.

Turning to international relations, Varadkar noted the potential impact of Trump’s return to US politics, saying, “I always thought it was a possibility,” and highlighted concerns over tariffs. With Europe seeking alternatives to China, he sees “a real potential for India.” He also advocated for an EU-India trade agreement, saying, “We’ve been talking about that forever.”

When asked about his decision to step down as Taoiseach, Varadkar cited timing and personal fulfillment. “I wasn’t loving it and enjoying it in the way that I was before,” he admitted, acknowledging that “political capital diminishes over time.” Considering his next steps, he shared, “I definitely don’t want a full-time job.”

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