PM Modi Meets French CEOs to Strengthen India-France Economic Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a series of high-level meetings with leading French business executives in Paris on Thursday, focusing on investment opportunities and plans for expanding operations in India. These discussions were part of a broader initiative to bolster economic and industrial cooperation between India and France across diverse sectors, including shipping, logistics, railways, construction, and artificial intelligence, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Among the attendees was Rodolphe Saade, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, who shared insights into the discussions held with the Prime Minister. Saade revealed that the talks included topics such as shipbuilding, ship recycling, deep-sea ports, and container manufacturing. He expressed optimism about the potential for enhanced collaboration between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of strengthening partnerships.

Saade highlighted India's critical role in global supply chains and noted the progress made in building container ships within the country. "We view our relationship with Indian partnerships as very good and believe there is scope for further cooperation in shipping and logistics," he stated.

In addition to his meeting with Saade, PM Modi also held discussions with Benoit Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain, and Martin Sion, CEO of Alstom. These conversations centered on sustainability in materials and construction, as well as advancements in mobility and railways modernization.