Piyush Goyal Urges Stronger India-France Trade, Education Ties

• Goyal called for simpler EU regulations and stronger India-France trade ties.
• India targets 30,000 students in France by 2030 and deeper cultural exchange.
• He urged French firms to invest in India, proposing joint business groups.

During a group meeting of the India-France CEO Forum held in Paris on the 3rd of June, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stressed the need for simplifying business regulations while enhancing bilateral cooperation.

He recognized regulatory challenges faced by Indian companies operating in the European Union and in various member states and proposed the establishment of a fast-track process involving ambassadors engaged in resolving operation-level difficulties so that they may be handled more expeditiously.

Goyal expressed the wish that trade and investment should go beyond $15 billion and urged both countries to further diversify their sectoral engagement. He also spoke about the target of increasing Indian students to France from 10,000 to 30,000 by 2030 and about promoting French language teaching in India, so as to build stronger academic and cultural links.

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With the greater marketing of India as a manufacturing hub, Goyal essentially invited French businesses to harness the strength that India possesses in global supply chains. He sought the formation of joint working groups between French and Indian companies to further business-to-business engagements.

Also, he thanked the French businesses like Air Liquide for their cooperation during the pandemic and remarked on the widely presence of Michelin tires in India as an indication of robust bilateral industrial cooperation.

Currently on a five-day European tour (June 1–5), Goyal is currently in discussion with French and EU officials with a view toward strengthening trade ties and advancing negotiations for the India-EU FTA. In Paris, he is scheduled to meet French Minister of Economy Eric Lombard and Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin to explore new trade opportunities and deepen Indo-French economic relations.