(This article is translated and originally produced by our Gaeltacht team. You can read the Irish version of this piece here)

AFTER THE EUROPEAN Union and India agreed a trade deal this week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised many by welcoming the deal in Irish on his social media platforms.

In his message in Irish, the Prime Minister said that the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union was a ‘significant milestone in our relations’.

“I thank all European leaders over the years for their constructive spirit and commitment that made this achievement possible,” he said.

“This agreement will strengthen economic ties, create opportunities for our people and cement the partnership between India and Europe for a prosperous future.”

Modi, who is considered by some as a controversial politician among world leaders, has posted messages in other official languages ​​of the European Union welcoming the new free trade treaty.

Is cloch mhíle shuntasach inár gcaidrimh é conchlúid an Chomhaontaithe Saorthrádála idir An India agus an tAontas Eorpach inniu. Gabhaim buíochas le ceannairí uile na hEorpa thar na blianta as a spiorad cuiditheach agus as a dtiomantas a rinne an éacht seo indéanta. Neartóidh an…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 27, 2026

His critics say he is leading India towards the right and point to his background as a nationalist in the Hindu tradition. But his supporters point to the help he gives to the poor through social welfare payments and other ways that he has put India on the path to prosperity.

There was no message in Irish from the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen.

Many who saw his post on X welcomed it. According to Criostóir Ó Faoláin, the free trade agreement was good news. “Ní neart go cur le chéile,” he said.

Gearóid Ó Mórdha said Modi deserves praise for showing respect for the native Irish language.

There were also some critical messages from posters who expressed dissatisfaction that Irish was being used, in their opinion, by someone from abroad.

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Language and cultural scholars have noted that there is a strong cultural connection between Ireland and India and that there have been many cultural exchanges between the two countries.

One of these was a musical exchange involving composer Peadar Ó Riada and renowned Indian musician Ustad Wajahat Khan, which was featured in the film Continuing Traditions by award winning director Dónal Ó Céilleachair.

This story comes as it was announced this week that Irish will be used alongside English and French as official languages ​​during Ireland’s term of office in the European Union in the second half of this year.

The Journal’s Gaeltacht initiative is supported by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme