Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, jointly addressed the 14th India-France CEOs Forum in Paris. The forum brought together CEOs from various sectors, including defence, aerospace, critical and emerging technologies, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, life sciences, wellness and lifestyle, and food and hospitality.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the expanding India-France business and economic collaboration, emphasizing the strategic partnership between the two countries. He noted India’s attractiveness as a favored global investment destination, thanks to its stable polity and predictable policy ecosystem. PM Modi outlined recent budget reforms, including the opening of the insurance sector for 100% FDI and private participation in the civil nuclear energy sector focusing on SMR and AMR technologies. He also mentioned the rationalization of the customs rate structure and the introduction of a simplified income tax code to enhance Ease of Living. A high-level committee for regulatory reforms has been constituted, and more than 40,000 compliances have been rationalized in recent years.
The Prime Minister invited French companies to explore the immense opportunities offered by India’s growth story, particularly in defence, energy, highways, civil aviation, space, healthcare, fintech, and sustainable development. He emphasized the global appreciation and interest in India’s skills, talent, innovation, and newly launched missions in AI, semiconductors, quantum, critical minerals, and hydrogen. Modi called on French enterprises to partner with India for mutual growth and prosperity, reaffirming the commitment to fostering innovation, investment, and technology-driven partnerships.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, alongside French Ministers Jean-Noël Barrot and Eric Lombard, also addressed the forum.
The CEOs who attended the meeting included:
**Indian Side:**
1. Hari Bhartia, Co-Chairman and Director, Jubiliant Foodsworks/Jubiliant Life Sciences
2. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII
3. Umesh Chowdhary, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL)
4. Tejpreet Chopra, President & CEO, Bharat Light & Power Private Limited
5. Vishad Mafatlal, Chairman, P Mafatlal Group
6. Aman Gupta, Co-Founder, boat
7. Milind Kamble, Founder/Chairman, Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DICCI)
8. Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-Founder, Skyroot Aerospace
9. Srinath Ravichandran, Co-Founder & CEO, Agnikul
10. Sukaran Singh, Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd
11. Vikram Shroff, Vice Chairman and Co-CEO, UPL Group
12. Rajeev Samant, CEO, Sula Vineyards
13. Udayant Malhoutra, CEO & Managing Director, Dynamatic Technologies Ltd
14. Amit Sharma, Managing Director & CEO, Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE)
15. Falguni Nayyar, CEO, Nykaa
**French Side:**
1. Guillaume Faury, CEO, Airbus
2. François Jackow, CEO, Air Liquide
3. Nicolas Brusson, CEO & Co-Founder, BlaBlaCar
4. Aiman Ezzat, CEO, Capgemini Group
5. Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO, Danone
6. Luc Rémont, Chairman & CEO, EDF
7. Laurent Germain, CEO, Egis Group
8. Catherine MacGregor, CEO & Board Member, Engie Group
9. Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO & Member of Board of Directors, L’Oréal
10. Arthur Mensch, CEO & Co-Founder, Mistral AI
11. Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman & CEO, Naval Group
12. Alexandre Ricard, Chairman & CEO, Pernod Ricard
13. Olivier Andriès, CEO, Safran
14. Olivier Laureau, President & CEO, Servier
15. Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman & CEO, Total Energies SE
16. Guy Sidos, Chairman & CEO, Vicat
The event underscored the importance of active engagement in key sectors, reaffirming the commitment of both nations to fostering innovation, investment, and technology-driven partnerships.
