France - India Relations

On September 10, 2023, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a bilateral meeting with the President of the French Republic Mr. Emmanuel Macron during the G-20 Leaders’ Summit at New Delhi. 

The two leaders discussed overall progress and next steps on the implementation of the new and ambitious goals for cooperation in areas of defence, space, nuclear energy, digital public infrastructure, critical technology, climate change, education, etc. They also carried forward their discussions on India-France partnership in the Indo Pacific region and Africa, including in infrastructure, connectivity, energy and biodiversity.

On 14 July 2023, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited as Guest of Honour for France’s Bastille Day Parade and conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour by French President Emmanuel Macron. Celebrating 25 years of the Strategic Partnership, both leaders reiterated their strong commitment to further strengthen the partnership through concrete steps to intensify bilateral cooperation in trade and investment. 

The 11th meeting of the Indo-French CEOs Forum was held on 13 July 2023, on occasion of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s state visit to France. The two heads of state jointly addressed a group of leading Indian and French CEOs from strategic sectors including aviation and defence, manufacturing, technology and energy, among others. Hon’ble Prime Minister acknowledged the role played by the companies in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting economic cooperation and encouraged the CEOs to utilize the opportunities in India and be a part of India’s growth story.  

On 13 July 2023, Invest India signed an MoU with Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy. This partnership aims to enhance cooperation between the two agencies and contribute to the promotion of investment and innovation between companies and startups in India and France. This will also leverage the strengths and existing business relations between the countries and provide a seamless facilitation channel for new businesses and innovations to grow in both markets. 

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.

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.

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

During Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra’s Modi’s state visit to France in July 2023, several agreements were signed at an institutional level. This included Head of Agreement (HoA) between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Total Energies to establish a long-term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA), LOI for Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine.

The PM's visit to France also included Joint Declaration between ISRO and CNES Concerning Joint Developments in the field of Launchers, MoU between MeitY and French Ministry of Economy on Cooperation in the field of Digital Technologies, Technical Cooperation between Direction-Générale d’Aviation Civile, France and Airports Authority of India in the field of Civil Aviation, 5-year validity short-stay Schengen Visa for Indians with degrees from French educational institutions (Masters and above).

France is the 11th largest investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of $10.76 Bn during April 2000 - September 2023. 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 $13.4 Bn for the 2022-23 period.

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.

At the 53rd edition of IFFI in 2022(International Film Festival of India), France was the festival's country of focus. In reciprocity, India is named the Country of Honour at the Marche du Cinema of the Cannes Film Festival 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 assistance 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.