India-France Economic and Financial Dialogue Co-chaired by Finance Ministers
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and France's Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial, Energy, and Digital Sovereignty H.E. Mr. Roland Lescure co-chaired the India-France Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) in Aix-en-Provence on July 3, 2026. The dialogue resumed high-level exchanges within the framework of the special global strategic partnership between the two countries, following the commitment made during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India in February 2026 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to hold the dialogue in 2026.
Key Discussion Areas and Outcomes
The ministers discussed greater alignment of India-France positions within multilateral economic platforms including the G20 and the Paris Club, particularly in the context of India's association to the French G7 presidency. They exchanged views on the world economic outlook and identified potential areas for enhanced bilateral cooperation, specifically the roll-out of India-France cooperation on critical minerals as part of broader discussions on economic sovereignty and security policies.
Additional discussion points included ways to increase cross-investments between the two countries, opportunities in the high-speed railway sector following the signature of the declaration of intent on railways, and enhancing cooperation between French and Indian SMEs by strengthening links between clusters starting with priority sectors. Proposals to further connect the financial industries between India and France were also discussed.
Both ministers recognized the value of the French Development Agency's work in India for economic development and welcomed prospects for future projects. They pledged to use the economic and financial dialogue as the main platform for addressing economic, financial, technological, investment, and trade matters between India and France, and agreed to explore the possibility of holding the next edition of the dialogue in 2027.