Paris/IBNS: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal Tuesday said that France and India have truly been friends, partners and vibrant democracies working for global good during his address at the India-France Business Summit in Paris, France.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have strengthened the strategic partnership between the two countries which has completed 25 years now.

The Minister said that both leaders have taken India-France ties to the next level with expanded engagement in trade, technology, tourism and investment.

He noted that the friendship between the leaders and the people of both countries is a force multiplier for global good.

The minister said that India and France are concerned with stable global economic order and both believe in consensus and cooperation both at the regional and global levels.

“The business leaders from both countries and the Indian community in France have further strengthened this bond of friendship and trust between India and France through their relentless efforts to grow the trade and economic partnership,” Goyal noted.

Goyal said the industry leaders from India, who are attending the business summit, will share their experiences of working and growing in an economy that is growing rapidly, expanding both in the domestic and international spheres.

He said that there is a huge delta of opportunities that has never been seen in the global economic history in India now.

Citing the example of India’s demographic dividend with significant managerial and technological skills and an immense talent pool, Goyal said India offers Scale, Speed and Skills to the world.

Seamless digital connectivity has aided this process and now India offers a huge opportunity to businesses around the world.

India is rapidly expanding its international engagement and the goods and services exports over the last 2 years have grown significantly and the increase in exports is expected to continue on its high growth trajectory.

He also said that India has an infrastructure pipeline to strengthen logistics in the country.

India is attracting investment and technology in the defence sector from around the world as indigenous manufacturing is being promoted while innovation and technology are driving growth with sustainability at the core.

Goyal said that the green economy is emerging as a massive thrust area for technology and investments.

The minister said that India and France will continue their dialogue at an accelerated pace with trade and investment expanding manifold to further aid the development journey.