France continues to solidify its commitment to India's 'Make in India' initiative with a surge in investments and job creation, according to French Ambassador Thierry Mathou. In a recent interview, Ambassador Mathou highlighted the growing footprint of French companies in India, emphasizing their dedication to local production, employment, and integration of Indian businesses into global supply chains.
This deepening engagement builds on a longstanding strategic partnership between the two nations, with defence and aerospace cooperation dating back to India's independence. A prime example is the technology transfer for the Cheetah/Chetak light helicopter, initiated in 1962, which marked an early success in Indo-French industrial collaboration.
"The French approach has always been to offer as much indigenous production in India as possible," stated Ambassador Mathou. This commitment is reflected in the current landscape, with 60 French defence companies having established offices and facilities in India, 15 of which have commenced operations since 2018.
The aerospace sector stands as a testament to this thriving partnership. French aerospace exports to India reached 2.7 billion euros in the first half of 2024, with Airbus aircraft comprising a significant portion. Indigo Airlines alone operates hundreds of Airbus planes and placed a landmark order for 500 more in 2023. Furthermore, the Indian Air Force operates 36 Rafale fighter jets, solidifying France's role in India's defence capabilities.
Beyond major players like Airbus and Thales, which employs 1,600 engineers in its Indian engineering center, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also increasingly expanding their presence in India. This collective effort is generating significant economic benefits, with GIFAS (French Industries Association of Aeronautics and Space) companies supporting over 50,000 indirect jobs in India and engaging 227 Indian suppliers.
Looking ahead, France and India are collaborating on several initiatives to further strengthen their aerospace partnership. These include the development of an Indo-French campus for aeronautics and space training, the establishment of an aeronautics cluster to promote French industry in India, and joint efforts to decarbonize air transport by 2050.
Ambassador Mathou emphasized the mutually beneficial nature of the Indo-French relationship, stating, "The aerospace sector embodies the best of our Indo-French win-win cooperation. We're looking forward to using it as a model to further strengthen our ties in other key areas." The upcoming India-France Year of Innovation in 2026 is poised to provide further impetus to this growing partnership.
