FM Smt. Sitharaman to co-chair India–France Economic & Financial Dialogue (EFD); and participate in high-level economic engagements and interact with industry leaders

Union Finance Minister's visit underscores India's commitment to deepening strategic economic partnership with France

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman embarked on an official visit to France today. She will participate in a series of high-level bilateral engagements aimed at further strengthening the India–France Strategic Partnership, enhancing economic cooperation and promoting investment, technology collaboration and innovation.

A key engagement during the visit will be the India–France Economic & Financial Dialogue (EFD), which will be co-chaired by Smt. Sitharaman and Mr. Roland Lescure, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Energy Sovereignty of France, at Aix-en-Provence. As part of the EFD, both countries will discuss potential areas for greater bilateral cooperation in various sectors, and further enhance the economic relations between India and France.

During the visit, the Union Finance Minister will hold one-to-one meetings with select global CEOs and also participate in a roundtable interaction with leading business executives to showcase India's robust macroeconomic fundamentals, ongoing structural reforms, expanding investment opportunities and long-term growth prospects.

FM Smt. Sitharaman will participate in a panel discussion on the theme “How to Promote the Growth of a New Middle Class” at the Les Rencontres Économiques d'Aix-en-Provence, one of Europe's leading annual forums for dialogue on global economic and public policy issues. Organised by Le Cercle des économistes, the forum brings together Heads of Government, Ministers, Central Bankers, business leaders, economists, academics and representatives of international organisations from across the world to deliberate on contemporary economic challenges.

The Union Finance Minister will visit the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project at Cadarache. ITER is one of the world's largest international scientific collaborations on nuclear fusion energy, involving more than 30 partner countries, including India and France. She will also undertake a visit to Campus Cyber, France's national hub dedicated to cybersecurity innovation, research, skill development and collaboration among government, industry and academia. The visit is expected to facilitate exchange of experiences and best practices in strengthening cyber resilience and fostering innovation in the digital economy.

FM Smt. Sitharaman will also meet Mr. Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) Region, and discuss avenues for enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including investment, innovation, clean energy, technology and regional economic partnerships.

The Union Finance Minister will conclude her official visit with a community event with the members of the Indian diaspora.