India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal invited French companies to invest in India's manufacturing sector, highlighting the country's talent pool and scale. The appeal was made during the 'Bharat Innovates' event in Nice, France, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron.
India is actively seeking to boost its manufacturing capabilities and attract foreign investment to drive economic growth and create jobs. French companies represent a significant opportunity due to their technological expertise and established presence in various industrial sectors.
India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has called on French companies to increase their investments in India's manufacturing sector, highlighting the country's significant talent pool and capacity for large-scale production. Speaking at the 'Bharat Innovates' event in Nice, France, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, Goyal emphasized that India can serve as a trusted and reliable partner in the current uncertain global economic landscape.
Goyal encouraged French businesses to "design in India, innovate in India and manufacture in India," catering to both the substantial domestic market and for export worldwide. He noted that innovation has become a culture in India, supported by approximately 230,000 startups.
Prime Minister Modi is currently in France for a week-long visit, which includes discussions with Macron and participation in the G-7 Summit. This visit follows Modi's arrival in Nice on Saturday. Bilateral trade between India and France saw a slight increase to $15.81 billion in the fiscal year 2025-26, up from $15.19 billion in 2024-25. France ranks as the 11th-largest foreign investor in India, having committed $12.25 billion in foreign direct investment between April 2000 and March 2025.