French business leaders, during their visit to India, have committed to boosting local investments, job opportunities, and production as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. French Ambassador Mr. Thierry Mathou acknowledged the increasing role of Indian companies in global supply chains and emphasized the growing industrial collaborations in key sectors between the two nations. Highlighting the aerospace industry’s pivotal role in Indo-French relations, he underlined France’s long-standing partnership, spanning over 25 years, with key defense and aerospace collaborations. He cited the early technology transfer of the Cheetah/Chetak helicopter in 1962 as evidence of the enduring ‘Make in India’ involvement from France’s defense industry.
In the first half of 2024 alone, France’s aerospace exports to India contributed US$ 2.95 billion, accounting for over 55% of their total exports to the country. Significant milestones include Indigo Airlines operating hundreds of Airbus planes and the Indian Air Force’s acquisition of 36 Rafale jets. Furthermore, French businesses have created over 50,000 indirect jobs in India through their collaborations with 227 local suppliers, investing more than US$ 1.09 billion annually. Major aerospace companies like Airbus and Thales are further expanding their operations by setting up innovation hubs and training centres, indicating future prospects for deeper collaboration. Both nations are now working on establishing an Indo-French aeronautics and space training campus, as well as an aeronautics cluster in partnership with India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation. The French Ambassador expressed confidence in this partnership, which he believes will be a model for future collaborations, especially with the upcoming India-France Year of Innovation in 2026, creating even more opportunities to strengthen ties.
