With a focus on deepening business and innovation ties between the two nations, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Sophie Primas, is set to visit India from November 27 to 29, 2024.

This visit comes at a crucial time, following a productive meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where both leaders expressed their commitment to further enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Primas’ trip will provide an opportunity to build on that momentum, particularly in trade, investment, and technology. With the global economy facing unprecedented challenges, the timing of this visit highlights the growing importance of the India-France partnership in key sectors such as digital innovation, sustainable development, and high-tech industries.

Strengthening Trade and Investment Links

Minister Primas’ visit begins with high-level meetings in New Delhi, where she will engage with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on November 27. The discussions will aim to streamline business processes and boost investment flows between France and India. A key objective is to encourage greater French investment in India while also attracting more Indian FDI into France, particularly in areas where both nations are seeing rapid growth.

The day will also feature the France-India CEOs Forum, co-chaired by Paul Hermelin, Chairman of CapGemini, and Hari Bhartia, Co-Chairman of Jubilant Life Sciences. The forum will focus on strengthening business collaboration across sectors and advancing the economic agenda set out by both countries’ leadership.

Focus on Innovation and R&D in Tamil Nadu

On November 28, Minister Primas will travel to Chennai, where French investments have been instrumental in the state’s economic growth, especially in manufacturing and high-tech industries. During her visit, she will meet Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Industry, Dr TRB Rajaa, to discuss how to further expand French business engagement in the region.

A highlight of the Chennai visit will be a tour of the Saint-Gobain R&D Centre at the IIT Madras Research Park. Saint-Gobain is known for its innovation in sustainable construction materials, and the center has become a model of collaboration between academia and industry. Minister Primas’ visit will highlight the importance of innovation in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

Enhancing Educational and Cultural Ties

In addition to business and investment discussions, the visit will also focus on strengthening educational and cultural links. On November 29, Minister Primas will inaugurate a new French international school in Chennai, offering a bilingual curriculum and promoting the values of the French education system in India.

Later in the day, Minister Primas will visit Puducherry, where she will meet with local officials, visit the French War Memorial, and interact with students at the Lycée Français International de Pondichéry.

Building on G20 Progress

The visit is also a follow-up to the key discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Macron at the G20 Summit, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating cooperation in defence, space, and digital technology. The India-France partnership has been evolving rapidly in recent years, and the visit of Minister Primas underscores both countries’ desire to build on this progress and explore new areas of collaboration, especially in emerging technologies and sustainable development.

Why This Visit Matters

Minister Primas’ trip comes at a time when India and France are aligning their economic strategies to tackle global challenges. With both nations prioritizing technological innovation and sustainability, this visit is an important step in ensuring that their partnership continues to evolve and thrive. By engaging with business leaders, policymakers, and academics, Primas will help set the stage for even greater collaboration in the years to come.