The Minister for Public Expenditure has said he hopes a direct flight between Ireland and India will be operational within the next two years.
Jack Chambers, who is on a state visit to the country, met with two Indian airlines - Air India and IndiGo - to discuss the plans.
There are currently no direct flights from Dublin to any Indian city.
The Minister said "the development of a direct Ireland to India airline route would expand business opportunities as well supporting better connectivity for the approximate 100,000 people of Indian origin living in Ireland while also creating huge tourism potential".
Minister Chambers, who is the first Irish minister to visit India following EU-India trade deal, met with key officials in the capital New Delhi to discuss improving trade links between the two countries.
He was accompanied by representatives from both IDA Ireland and Entreprise Ireland.
Last month, the EU finalised its free trade agreement with India after two decades of on-off negotiations. It was hailed as the 'mother of all trade deals' by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trade between Ireland and India has increased by 90% in the last decade and is now valued at €16 billion, which represents around 10% of total trade between the EU and India.
Minister Chambers pointed to strong economic ties "across key sectors including aviation, pharma and tech".
Delivering a keynote address to students at the University of Delhi, he talked about opportunities for students to study and work in Ireland.
In response to questions around a reported spike in hate crimes against Indians in Ireland, the Minister said Indian citizens "are very welcome in Ireland".
He added there has been a strong response from the Government in condemning those crimes. He also said the perpetrators do not represent the majority of Irish people and the country remains a safe place.
Today, the Minister is in the so-called IT-capital of India Bengaluru, where he is meeting with IDA client companies including Stripe, Infosys and Biocon.
Minister Chambers will end his trip with a visit to Enterprise Ireland client companies in Hyderabad. Irish companies operating in the city include Techfynder, My Compliance Office and T Hub Innovation Centre.
