**Executive Summary**
Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman commenced a four-day official visit to France on July 1, 2026, to strengthen the India–France Strategic Partnership. The visit centers on co-chairing the India–France Economic & Financial Dialogue (EFD) and engaging with global industry leaders to promote investment and technology collaboration. Key objectives include showcasing India's macroeconomic stability and fostering bilateral cooperation in energy, cybersecurity, and innovation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Bilateral Economic Dialogue**
* Co-chairing of the India–France Economic & Financial Dialogue (EFD) by Smt. Sitharaman and Mr. Roland Lescure, French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Energy Sovereignty.
* Discussion of potential areas for greater bilateral cooperation across various sectors to enhance economic relations.
**Industry and Investor Engagement**
* Conducting one-to-one meetings with select global CEOs.
* Hosting a roundtable interaction with leading business executives to highlight India’s robust macroeconomic fundamentals, structural reforms, and long-term growth prospects.
**Global Economic Deliberation**
* Participation in a panel discussion titled “How to Promote the Growth of a New Middle Class” at the Les Rencontres Économiques d'Aix-en-Provence.
* Engagement with international heads of government, central bankers, and academics to address contemporary global economic challenges.
**Science, Technology, and Cybersecurity**
* Site visit to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project to review progress on international nuclear fusion energy collaboration.
* Visit to Campus Cyber to facilitate the exchange of best practices in cybersecurity innovation, digital economy resilience, and skill development.
**Regional and Community Outreach**
* Meeting with Mr. Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) Region, to discuss regional economic partnerships and clean energy.
* Concluding the visit with a community event involving members of the Indian diaspora.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Ministry of Finance / Government of India**
**Impact**
The visit serves as a platform to project India’s economic reforms and strategic interests on a global stage.
**Action Required**
The Minister and her delegation must lead dialogues, present India’s growth narrative to investors, and finalize cooperation frameworks in technology and finance.
**French Government Officials**
**Impact**
Strengthens diplomatic and economic ties through high-level bilateral dialogues and regional cooperation.
**Action Required**
Co-chair the EFD and engage in discussions regarding investment, innovation, and regional economic partnerships.
**Global CEOs and Business Executives**
**Impact**
Gain direct insight into India’s investment opportunities, structural reforms, and macroeconomic stability.
**Action Required**
Participate in one-to-one meetings and roundtable interactions to explore expansion and collaboration opportunities in the Indian market.
**Scientific and Technical Organizations (ITER, Campus Cyber)**
**Impact**
Enhanced collaboration on nuclear fusion research and cybersecurity best practices.
**Action Required**
Facilitate site visits and share technical expertise to foster innovation and digital resilience.
**Indian Diaspora**
**Impact**
Maintains and strengthens the cultural and professional connection between the Indian government and its citizens abroad.
**Action Required**
Attend the scheduled community event to engage with the Union Finance Minister.
Key Entities Referenced
India–France Economic & Financial Dialogue (EFD): A high-level bilateral platform co-chaired by the Finance Ministers of India and France to enhance economic cooperation and financial engagement.
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER): A major international scientific collaboration on nuclear fusion energy involving over 30 partner countries, including India and France.
Les Rencontres Économiques d'Aix-en-Provence: A leading European annual forum for dialogue on global economic and public policy issues where the Finance Minister participated in panel discussions.
Campus Cyber: France's national hub dedicated to cybersecurity innovation, research, and skill development, visited to facilitate bilateral exchange on cyber resilience.
France: The host nation for the official visit aimed at deepening the India-France Strategic Partnership across investment, technology, and clean energy.
Ministry of Finance
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman embarks on official 4-
day visit to France
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
प्रव तथ: 01 JUL 2026 12:56PM by PIB Delhi
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 willdiscuss 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.
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SR/KMN
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