NEW DELHI: French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou said that France aims to host 30,000 Indian students in the coming year, as part of its broader objective to foster people-to-people exchanges within the Indo-French bilateral relationship.

Mathou emphasised that this initiative is a key priority set by President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to India in early January 2024. He said that France is eager to offer Indian students a variety of opportunities, including English-taught courses and programmes designed to help them integrate into French society.

The Ambassador added that an educational fair is scheduled for mid-October to present these opportunities to prospective students.

In addition to educational cooperation, Mathou underscored the importance of economic ties between France and India, underlining that France is making a significant contribution to the “Make in India” policy.

Praising India’s growth trajectory, he expressed optimism about increased French investments in India, particularly in sectors such as luxury, fashion, agriculture, and food production. French companies have been steadily expanding their presence, with Carrefour set to resume operations in India in partnership with Apparel Group. Mathou said that bilateral trade between the two countries reached €16 billion in 2023, with the trade balance improving for both nations.

“Our bilateral trade is almost balanced, and India is now France’s 12th largest customer. In the first half of 2024, French exports to India increased by 60% compared to the same period in 2023, with civil aircraft purchases being a major factor behind this growth,” Mathou said.

He also highlighted that, as of 2023, French foreign direct investment (FDI) in India amounted to €13 billion, supporting around 500,000 jobs across 1,000 industrial facilities.

Mathou pointed to Airbus’ innovation centre in India as a landmark in the ongoing development of Franco-Indian collaboration.

The Ambassador described France’s defence ties with India as “exceptional,” saying that nations share a commitment to strategic autonomy, with high-level military exercises conducted bilaterally and multilaterally across land, air, and naval forces in 2024. HE stressed that the defence partnership has expanded with the signing of a bilateral Defence Industrial Roadmap in January 2024, which aims to co-design, co-develop, and co-produce defence equipment.

In August, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines signed an agreement to jointly develop engines for India’s multi-role helicopters. Additionally, Safran is under consideration for the co-production of a 6th-generation fighter engine with complete technology transfer to India, a partnership Mathou described as unique.

Mathou also mentioned India’s longstanding defence procurement relationship with France, citing the Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene submarines that have bolstered India’s defence capabilities. Recently, INS Tabar, an Indian Navy frigate, participated in the 22nd edition of the India-France naval exercise ‘Varuna’ in Toulon, which Mathou referred to as the backbone of the India-France defence relationship since its inception in 2001.

On the geopolitical front, Mathou aligned France’s position with India’s, condemning terrorist attacks on civilians and reiterating France’s support for Israel’s security amid escalating tensions in West Asia. He condemned the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel and stressed the urgency of securing a ceasefire in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid.