Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday invited French companies to invest in India's manufacturing sector, positioning the nation as a reliable partner offering scale, talent, and innovation opportunities. Speaking at the 'Bharat Innovates' event in Nice, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, Goyal emphasized that India can serve both as a large domestic market and a manufacturing base for global exports.
India as a Trusted Partner
According to PTI, Goyal stated, "I would invite our French friends to visit India, invest in India, design in India, innovate in India and manufacture in India, both for the large domestic market and export from India to the rest of the world." He highlighted India's stability amid global economic uncertainty, noting that countries are increasingly seeking dependable economic partners. "...and that is what India brings to the table," he added.
Innovation-Driven Economy
Goyal underscored that innovation has become a defining characteristic of India's economy, propelled by a rapidly expanding startup ecosystem. "In India, innovation is now a culture which is powered by 2,30,000 startups," he said. The event took place during PM Modi's visit to France, where he is scheduled for bilateral talks with Macron and participation in the G7 Summit. Modi arrived in Nice on Saturday as part of a week-long tour that also includes a two-day visit to Slovakia.
India-France Trade and Investment
Official data shows that bilateral trade between India and France reached USD 15.81 billion in 2025-26, up from USD 15.19 billion in 2024-25. France is India's 11th-largest investor, with foreign direct investment totaling USD 12.25 billion between April 2000 and March 2025.
