India and France held the India-France Economic and Financial Dialogue in Aix-en-Provence on Friday, with discussions focusing on multilateral cooperation, resilient supply chains, infrastructure, investment and financial sector collaboration.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and France's Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, Roland Lescure, according to the Ministry of Finance.
The meeting was held under the framework of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership and follows commitments made during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India in February 2026 and subsequent discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene the dialogue this year.
According to the ministry, the two sides reviewed developments in the global economy and discussed coordination in multilateral forums, including the G20 and the Paris Club. The discussions also took place in the context of India's engagement with France during the latter's G7 presidency.
Economic sovereignty and supply chain resilience were among the key topics discussed. Both countries reviewed progress on cooperation related to critical minerals and examined ways to strengthen supply chains amid evolving global economic conditions.
The ministers also discussed measures to encourage greater cross-border investment. In the infrastructure sector, they explored opportunities for cooperation in high-speed rail, building on an earlier declaration of intent on railway collaboration.
The dialogue also covered proposals to strengthen links between the financial sectors of the two countries. According to the Ministry of Finance, the discussions focused on facilitating trade, investment and technology cooperation through closer engagement between financial institutions.
The two ministers also reviewed the role of the French Development Agency in India and discussed the possibility of future cooperation in areas including urban infrastructure, climate and energy projects.
The Ministry of Finance said both sides agreed to continue using the India-France Economic and Financial Dialogue as the principal mechanism for discussions on economic, financial, investment, technological and trade issues. They also agreed to explore holding the next round of the dialogue in 2027. |
