Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a series of high-level meetings with top business executives in Paris on Monday, aiming to showcase India’s expanding capabilities in electric vehicles (EV) and renewable energy (RE) and to draw in fresh international investments.
Currently on an official visit to France, Goyal is working to bolster trade and investment ties between India and Europe. As part of his diplomatic mission, he is scheduled to participate in a ministerial-level meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Tuesday, where global trade issues are expected to take center stage.
Goyal took to social media platform X to share updates from his meetings, underlining the momentum India is gaining as a key destination for manufacturing and clean energy investments. In one of his posts, he wrote, “Held a meeting with Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group. Exchanged views on India’s growing potential as an automobile manufacturing hub, along with emerging opportunities in the EV sector.” The conversation with Renault’s top executive underscores India’s intent to become a major player in the electric mobility landscape, capitalizing on a growing domestic market and increasing global demand for sustainable transportation solutions.
Another crucial meeting during his Paris visit was with Bernard Fontana, the Chairman and CEO of EDF, the French state-owned energy giant. The discussions focused on renewable energy and the evolving role of India in the global green energy transition. According to Goyal, “Discussions centered around India’s leadership in renewable energy and strategies to further integrate sustainable energy into India’s development roadmap.” India’s ambitions in this sector have attracted interest from major energy corporations looking to invest in cleaner alternatives as part of their decarbonization strategies.
Earlier in the day, Goyal also met with Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, a major global player in the energy industry. The dialogue focused on future plans for investment and collaborative projects in India’s renewable energy space. Goyal shared, “Discussed the company’s investment plans for India and avenues for deeper collaboration in the renewable energy sector.” The meeting highlights India’s ongoing push to expand its clean energy infrastructure and build strategic partnerships with global energy firms.
In addition to promoting India’s green and electric mobility initiatives, Goyal also touched upon progress in bilateral trade negotiations with Oman. The minister said that the free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf nation is nearing completion. The negotiations, which started in November 2023, gained significant momentum following Goyal’s visit to Oman in January this year. This upcoming trade pact is expected to further strengthen India’s ties with the Gulf region, creating new trade and investment opportunities and opening doors to greater regional cooperation.
Goyal’s three-day visit to France is packed with high-level engagements designed to reinforce India’s economic collaboration with European partners. He is set to hold bilateral discussions with several key French government officials, including Eric Lombard, Minister of Economy, and French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin. The meetings aim to deepen the Indo-French economic partnership and identify new avenues for enhancing trade and investment flows between the two countries.
As part of his business outreach, Goyal will also meet with executives from several major French companies that have strategic interests in India. These include Vicat, a leading cement manufacturer; L’Oréal, the global cosmetics giant; and Renault, a prominent automotive firm. Other companies on the agenda include Valeo, which specializes in automotive technologies; EDF and TotalEnergies from the energy sector; and ATR, a regional aircraft manufacturer. These meetings are expected to further India’s efforts to attract large-scale investments and strengthen its position as a global manufacturing and innovation hub.
Following his engagements in France, Minister Goyal will continue his official European tour with a visit to Italy. The next leg of his journey is expected to include more diplomatic and business meetings focused on enhancing India’s bilateral economic ties with Italy and promoting cooperation across key sectors such as manufacturing, technology, and sustainable energy.
Goyal’s European tour comes at a time when India is actively positioning itself as a global hub for manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability. With a growing focus on electric vehicles and renewable energy, the government is courting foreign investors and multinational companies to participate in India’s growth journey. These efforts align with the broader vision of transforming India into a leading global economy powered by green technology and industrial competitiveness.
By engaging directly with CEOs and top business leaders of global corporations, Goyal aims to reassure potential investors about India’s stable economic policies, pro-business environment, and long-term commitment to clean energy goals. His meetings reflect India’s strategic approach to global outreach, using diplomacy and business collaboration as tools to strengthen economic partnerships and secure foreign capital for transformative sectors.
In summary, Piyush Goyal’s visit to France underscores a multi-faceted strategy aimed at attracting investment into key areas like electric mobility and renewable energy while simultaneously advancing trade negotiations and fostering bilateral economic cooperation. His engagements in Paris set the tone for deeper collaborations with French industry leaders and pave the way for the next phase of India’s industrial and green energy evolution. As the Commerce Minister continues his European tour in Italy, the spotlight remains on India’s drive to become a central player in the global economic landscape.