Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has invited French companies and investors to expand their presence in India, highlighting the country's growing opportunities in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and financial services. Speaking at the India–France Business Roundtable in Paris, Sitharaman said the global economy is undergoing major changes driven by technological innovation, shifting supply chains, the clean energy transition, and evolving geopolitical dynamics. She stressed that the longstanding India–France Strategic Partnership is well placed to foster the next wave of innovation, resilience, and sustainable economic growth.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Sitharaman said India and France have emerged as reliable partners in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. She encouraged greater cooperation in trusted AI systems, digital infrastructure, and advanced technologies, noting that both countries possess complementary strengths that can drive innovation.

The Finance Minister also highlighted the steady expansion of economic ties between the two nations. Bilateral trade has doubled over the past decade, while nearly 1,000 French companies currently operate in India, reflecting the strength of the commercial relationship. Emphasising India's digital transformation, Sitharaman pointed to the country's robust Digital Public Infrastructure, including Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, ONDC, and India Stack. She noted that India now processes almost half of the world's real-time digital payment transactions, demonstrating the scale and efficiency of its digital ecosystem.

She further encouraged French investors to strengthen collaboration in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and life sciences. Areas such as vaccine manufacturing, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), clinical research, precision medicine, and digital health offer significant potential for joint development and more resilient global healthcare supply chains, she said.

Highlighting India's clean energy ambitions, Sitharaman reiterated the country's target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030. She said initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes are creating substantial investment opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen, battery storage, offshore wind projects, and smart grid infrastructure. The Finance Minister also showcased the growing importance of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), which has become an emerging global financial hub. As of June 2026, the financial centre hosts over 1,200 registered entities, manages banking assets worth approximately USD 111 billion, and has facilitated cumulative banking transactions exceeding USD 176 billion.

She pointed out that investors can explore opportunities across banking, fund management, aircraft and ship leasing, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), reinsurance, and sustainable finance. Sitharaman also highlighted the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), whose upcoming USD 3.5 billion Infrastructure Fund II and USD 1 billion Private Markets Fund II aim to support investments in infrastructure, digital connectivity, clean energy, green hydrogen, and other fast-growing sectors.

Concluding her address, Sitharaman invited French businesses to become long-term partners in India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, stressing that stronger economic cooperation between India and France can generate shared growth and mutual prosperity. The Ministry of Finance said representatives from leading French financial institutions attending the roundtable appreciated India's structural reforms over the past decade, measures to simplify business regulations, and efforts to improve the investment climate. Participants also shared recommendations to further strengthen long-term investment partnerships between the two countries. Sitharaman's visit reinforces India's commitment to building deeper international economic partnerships while leveraging its technological capabilities and investment potential to drive sustainable growth and global collaboration.