Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has invited French businesses and investors to partner with India as both nations work towards advancing shared growth and prosperity. In a post on X, Goyal shared his attendance at a dinner hosted by Harish Salve, Chairperson of the Board of IIT Delhi, alongside industry leaders from India and France, academicians, researchers, and innovators.
Goyal highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, the India-France partnership has gained new momentum across strategic, economic, technological, and innovation-driven sectors. He stated, "Invited businesses & investors to partner with India in advancing shared growth & prosperity while working together towards a brighter & more sustainable future for the people of both nations."
Visit to Sophia Antipolis
During his stay in France, Goyal visited Sophia Antipolis, Europe's premier science and technology hub, to strengthen India's deep-tech ties with European markets. He described it as a "fascinating visit to Europe's Silicon Valley" and noted that the hub's ecosystem integrates research, talent, and enterprise to drive rapid economic advancement.
With over 2,600 companies operating in cutting-edge sectors, the technology park serves as a model for how collaboration can fuel economic growth and technological progress. Goyal engaged with industry leaders, positioning India as a global powerhouse for innovation and manufacturing under Prime Minister Modi's vision.
Meeting with Nice Mayor
Goyal also met Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti to bolster tech ties between India and France. He hosted a dinner in the mayor's presence, bringing together leaders from government, business, innovation, and investment ecosystems. Goyal emphasized that as India moves toward the vision of Viksit Bharat, the partnership with France is creating new avenues for co-innovation and technological progress, benefiting both nations and the global community.
He noted that Nice is hosting Bharat Innovates 2026 at the Palais des Expositions, showcasing India's deep-tech capabilities with 120 innovative startups and over 20 Institutes of Excellence across 13 key technology domains. The event has attracted more than 350 leading investors and venture capitalists from around the world.
