Union Budget 2023-24
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India and France have solidified a fruitful relationship over a significant period.

Our shared heritage has led to a strong strategic partnership with an impetus to strong economic ties between India and the French Republic. The strategic partnership stands on the pillars of defence cooperation, space cooperation and civil nuclear cooperation. In addition, the two countries are successfully cooperating in the areas of smart cities, railways, tourism, food processing and renewable energy.

    • India and France have regular exchange of visits at the highest level. Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, held extensive discussions on a range of bilateral and global issues in May 2022 during the former’s official visit to France following the French President’s re-election for a second term. The two leaders agreed on a blueprint to work together on making the India-France strategic partnership a force for global good.

    • France and India work closely together on tackling climate change and furthering space exploration. Space agencies of both countries signed an agreement for cooperation for India’s first human space mission Gaganyaan. Both countries welcomed the decision for France to train medical support personnel for Indian astronauts, who will be part of the mission. Together, both countries have also launched a Space Climate Observatory that further enhances Indo-French cooperation on combating climate change.

    • India France held Strategic Dialogue 2021 - The Indian delegation was headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval while Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic advisor to President Emmanuel Macron, led the French side. The two sides held discussions on a variety of issues including counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, defence cooperation, maritime security, regional and global issues and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

    • Mr. François Delattre, Secretary-General, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, held bilateral talks with Foreign Secretary, Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, during the former’s official visit to India in December 2021. The officials discussed the India-France potential for cooperation in sectors such as defence and security, space, cybersecurity and the digital economy, blue economy, education, energy, health and climate change.

    • COVID-19 Cooperation: India supplied France with nearly 2 mn hydroxychloroquine tablets and 36 MT of paracetamol (API) after having lifted export restrictions on these lifesaving drugs. France expressed its gratitude by sending 120 ventilators, 50 thousand serological tests, and 50 thousand nose/throat swabs as aid. France also announced a 200 mn Euro loan to India to help the vulnerable sections most severely affected by the pandemic. Over 2500 Indians had been repatriated from France and a similar number of French citizens were repatriated from India to their home countries through special flights.

    • National Security Advisor (NSA) Mr. Ajit Doval met with Mr. Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to French President H.E. Emmanuel Macron, for the annual strategic dialogue between India and France on 6th November 2021. The topics discussed included strengthening the bilateral defence and security partnership, pursuing new initiatives in maritime, space and cyber domains, Committing to closer cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, France’s commitment to support Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, including defence industrialisation and joint research and technology development.

    • Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, held a bilateral meeting with the President of France, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, on the sidelines of the 16th G20 Summit in October 2021. Some of the topics discussed were strengthening cooperation between India and France in various fields, climate finance in view of the COP26 Summit, EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, and the role of India-France partnership in promoting stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

    • In June 2021, France announced its intention to make a direct contribution of EUR 1 Mn to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), further strengthening and upgrading its partnership with India

    • The Indian Prime Minister also visited France in August 2019 at the invitation of the French President for a Bilateral Summit in Paris and to participate in the G7 Summit in Biarritz. The French President’s visit to India in 2018 included signing of several agreements between the countries to deepen the partnership.

    • France is the 11th largest investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of $10.4 bn during April 2000 - December 2022. The sectors attracting the most FDI from France are cement and gypsum products, drugs and pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, and automobiles.

    • Bilateral trade between the two countries has been growing steadily and reached $12.4 Bn for the period April 2021 - March 2022.

    • India is proud to host 25 French R&D centres in the country. France is India’s 8th largest scientific partner with around 3000 co-publications per year and annually devotes around $5 Mn to scientific and technological cooperation with India.

    • In December 2021, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) announced signing of an MoU to establish a 4-year partnership with 21 French institutions under the aegis of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Government of France.

    • There are more than 1,000 French companies in India, that have a total turnover of $20 bn and employ 300,000 people. This is a testament to the strength of the Indo - French association.

    • France is partnering with India to develop Chandigarh, Puducherry and Nagpur as smart cities. It has already committed over $2.2 bn for India’s ‘Smart Cities’ project.

    • Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal along with Mr Olivier Becht, Minister delegate of Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Government of France, co-chaired the India France Business Summit, commemorating 25 years of India-France Friendship from the 11th-13th of April 2023. The Summit focused on themes including building a green future, emerging technologies, defence cooperation and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific regions.

    • This year at IFFI (International Film Festival of India) 53, France has been chosen as the festival’s Country of Focus, in reciprocity of India being named the Country of Honour at the Marche du Cinema of the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the country’s Independence.

    • France and India agreed to significantly enhance people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges. The countries have agreed on regular dialogue on consular matters, which will facilitate exchange and mobility.

    • In 2019 10,000 Indian students chose to pursue higher studies in France and the French Government has unveiled a plan to spend $1.4 Mn as assistcne to Indian students every year. France further plans to invite 20,000 Indian students in the country by the year 2025, as stated by French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

    • Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal along with Mr Olivier Becht, Minister delegate of Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Government of France, participated in an event that showcased India’s cultural heritage and soft power and witnessed a participation of 600+ dignitaries from the French government, the Indian Business Diaspora in France and members of French business community. The Minister also interacted with members of the Indian community in Paris.

Prominent Investments

France in India

ENGIE

ENGIE is a French multinational electric utility company with a business presence in 70 countries. It employs more than 150,000 people. ENGIE is one ...Read more

GROUPE PSA

Groupe PSA is Europe’s 2nd largest vehicle manufacturer, employing over 200,000 people worldwide as of 2018. As a part of its ‘Push to Pass’ strategy ...Read more

Roquette

Roquette is a global leader in plant-based ingredients and a pioneer of new vegetal proteins. It operates across 20 industrial sites, and has been ...Read more

Renault

Established in 1899, Groupe Renault is a French multinational automobile manufacturer that produces a wide range of cars and vans. In September 2008 ...Read more

Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric is the leading provider of electrical components and equipment. In India, the company operates through 28 factories, 48 sales ...Read more

India in France

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Mahindra & Mahindra is an Indian diversified conglomerate of companies, with revenue exceeding $ 17.9 bn and employing about 500 employees in ...Read more

Tata Group

Tata Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate holding, that has been present in Europe since 1907. It employs over 1,500 people in France. Tata ...Read more

Sintex Industries

Sintex Industries is the world’s largest producer of plastic water tanks, as well as Asia’s largest manufacturer of corduroy. They have a presence ...Read more

Motherson Sumi Systems

Motherson Sumi Systems is a leading automotive mirror and wiring harness manufacturer for passenger cars. It also supplies plastic components and ...Read more
  • Automobile

    Automobile

    • #1 

       Largest Two-wheeler Manufacturing Country

    • #3

      Largest automotive market

    • #4

      Largest car manufacturing country

      • India aims to double its auto Industry size to INR 15 lakh Cr by 2024
      • Employs 35 Mn people both directly and indirectly
      • EV market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 44% between 2020-2027 and is expected to hit 6.34 Mn-unit annual sales by 2027
    Visit Sector 3Investible Projects
  • Chemicals

    Chemicals

    • #3

      largest consumer of polymers in the world

    • #4

      largest producer of agrochemicals in the world

    • #6

      largest producer of chemicals in the world

      • Indian Dye is exported to over 90+ countries
      • Supplies 16% of the global dyestuff and dye intermediates
      • India is set to emerge as fourth largest chemical producer in the world
    Visit Sector 28Investible Projects
  • Food Processing

    Food Processing

    • #1

       Largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices

    • #1 

      producer of Milk Globally

    • #2

      largest producer of tea and sugarcane

      • India’s food processing sector is one of the largest in the world and its output is expected to reach $535 Bn by 2025-26
      • Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, a government scheme, was formulated for creating a modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet
    Visit Sector 76Investible Projects
  • Renewable Energy

    Renewable Energy

    • #2

      Highest installed wind capacity in Asia

    • #4

      Solar Power Capacity Globally (as per REN21 Renewables 2022 Global Status Report)

    • #4

      largest Renewable energy capacity Globally

      • The 30-GW renewable energy park at Kutch, Gujarat is billed as the largest of its kind in the world
      • 100% FDI is allowed in all renewable sources of power
    Visit Sector 499Investible Projects
  • Tourism & Hospitality

    Tourism & Hospitality

    • #9

      largest in cultural resources and business travel in the world

    • #10

      Rank on Medical Tourism Index

    • #3

      Largest foreign exchange earner for the country

      • $512 Bn contributions to India's GDP by 2028 and 53 million jobs by 2029
      • The travel market in India is projected to reach $ 125 Bn by FY27
      • Foreign tourist Arrivals during 2022 were 6.19 Mn
    Visit Sector 300Investible Projects
  • Pharmaceuticals

    Pharmaceuticals

    • #1

      Largest vaccine producer in the world

       

    • #3

      Largest market in terms of volume

    • #1

      Highest number of US-FDA compliant Pharma plants outside of the USA

      • Exports 20% of global generic medicines, making it the largest provider Globally
      • Expected to reach $65 Bn by 2024, and 130 Bn by 2030
      • Leader in Global supply of DPT, BCG, and Measles Vaccine
      • Market size of the Indian pharmaceutical industry is around $50 Bn
    Visit Sector 7Investible Projects
  • Retail & E-commerce

    Retail & E-commerce

    • #2

      Rank in Global Retail Development Index (GRDI), 2021

    • #3

      Largest consumer economy by 2025

    • #4

      Largest preferred retail destination Globally

      • Asia’s 3rd largest retail market and 4th largest Globally
      • Indian retail market is projected to reach $2 Tn by 2032
      • 10% Contribution to India's GDP
      • The E-Commerce market is expected to touch $350 Bn in GMV by 2030
    Visit Sector 2Investible Projects
  • Aerospace & Defence

    Aerospace & Defence

    • #2

      Largest armed force in the World

    • #3

      Largest defence budget in the world

    • 6%

      Budget allocated to R&D

      • GOI aims to achieve a turnover of $25 Bn including export of $5 Bn in Aerospace and Defence goods and services by 2025.
      • Government has established 2 Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
    Visit Sector 5Investible Projects

Recent Investments

1

Saint-Gobain to invest INR 6,000 cr to INR 8,000 crore by CY 2025

French glass major Saint-Gobain will invest 6,000 to 8,000 crore for expansion of Indian operations in the next two years, as the global glass and building materials manufacturer is is targeting revenue at 36,000 crore from India by CY2032.

Airbus

Air India to purchase 250 planes from Airbus; PM Modi says deal reflects deepening ties between India and France

Airbus has prioritized India as a key market since 2019. As evidenced by the opening of a 500-person information management centre (IT facility) in Bengaluru (September 2019). They have also announced hiring of 13000 people in the next two years as a part of their India Expansion Plan (Jan 2023).

Their efforts have also led to projects such as: 

  • In February 2020 Airbus Defense and Space and India's SpacePark Kerala signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore potential collaborations in space-related activities and applications.
  • Airbus Defense and Space has signed a contract in January 2021 to provide satellite-based communications systems for Indian Navy's P-75 submarine project.
  • Airbus opened a new C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara inaugurated by  P.M. Shri Narendra Modi in October 2022.
  • Apr 2023: Air India signed a deal to purchase 250 planes from Airbus. As part of the acquisition, the airline will purchase 40 wide body A-350 aircraft and 210 narrow body planes. Plans to increase total procurement to 2000 planes in the next 15 year
This is also the Rafale built for India and designated RB008. RB stands for former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria who, as then Deputy Chief of IAF, led the Indian negotiation team and had a major role in the contract negotiations.

France has delivered all 36 Rafale jets to India

France has delivered all 36 Rafale fighter jets to India. This is also the Rafale built for India and designated RB008. RB stands for former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria who, as then Deputy Chief of IAF, led the Indian negotiation team and had a major role in the contract negotiations.

Safran

Safran expands presence and industrial footprint in India

Safran inaugurated 3 new manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad and Bangalore and announced the construction of a major new facility by 2025. $ 200 Mn of investment (2018 –2025)

  • Safran Aircraft Engines (Hyderabad): 15,000 sq. m., the plant will produce rotating turbine seals for the LEAP engine from CFM International and eventually employ 275 people (Investment: $ 41 Mn).
  • Safran Electrical and Power (Hyderabad): The plant will assemble wire harnesses for civil and military jets. Opened in Nov’ 18, it has 150 employees, growing to 200 when it reaches full capacity (Phase 1 investment: $ 10 Mn).
  • Safran HAL Aircraft Engines (Bangalore): A JV between Safran Aircraft Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the plant will make complex piping, mostly for the LEAP engine. It will span 11,000 sq. m. and will have about 150 employees.
     
NTPC in pact with Electricite de France S.A

NTPC in pact with Electricite de France S.A. for cooperation in International Power sector

In a significant development for the global power sector, Électricité de France S.A. (EDF), one of the world’s leading power sector companies headquartered in Paris, France, and NTPC Ltd, India’s largest energy integrated company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore potential power project development opportunities in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Africa. 

CCI approves Total Renewables’ stake buy in Adani Green Energy

CCI approves Total Renewables’ stake buy in Adani Green Energy

Total Renewables SAS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of international energy major Total SE has acquired share capital of Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL)

Alstom India manufactured coaches to be used in Sydney Metro

Alstom India, subsidiary of French Alstom SA, under the Make in India initiative has assembled 22 train coaches to be used in Sydney Metro Line.

Citroen to make India debut next year

French auto major Citroen is planning its debut in India next year by opening stores in 10 cities. These stores will be equipped with technologies allowing the users to experience the accessories before buying the car.

Saint Gobain announces investments at its Chennai Plant

The French glassmaker announced investment of over $ 168 mn in their plant in Chennai to build new manufacturing lines of third-glass float, magnetron floater, glass solutions and a rainwater harvesting facility.

France Team

The France Team at Invest India aims to facilitate and assist French companies in their India entry and expansion plans. Working closely with various stakeholders including states and regulatory authorities, we bring to you a seamless experience in kick-starting your business in India.

Key Functions:

  • End-to-end spectrum of investment promotion – research, outreach, promotion, facilitation and aftercare
  • Initiating, attracting, facilitating, fast-tracking and handholding French investments across sectors
  • Providing information on investment opportunities across sectors, in specific projects and in industrial corridors in particular
  • Extending holistic support to the small and medium enterprises from France with India interest

Team Advantages

  • Opportunity assessment

  • Policy and incentive advisory

  • Location assessment

  • Market entry strategy

  • JV and strategic partner research

  • Approvals and compliance advisory

  • Issue redressal support

  • Expansion advisory

  • Policy impact analysis

About Us

Invest India

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Our Prestigious Awards

We are the most awarded IPA in the world

  • The World's Most Innovative Investment Promotion Agency Award 2021 awarded by OCO Global

  • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Investment Promotion Award 2020 for best practices in COVID response

  • Best Investment Project Award five years in a row - 2016 to 2020 at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) organized by the Ministry of Economy, UAE.

  • Great Place to Work Certification by GPTW Survey 2019

  • The UNCTAD Award 2018 for promoting investment in sustainable development

  • Great Place to Work Certification by GPTW Survey 2018

  • Investment Award 2016 from the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

  • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Investment Promotion Award 2016 for excellence in partnering for investment promotion