Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has highlighted opportunities for India and France to expand partnerships in key sectors such as aerospace, electric vehicles, agriculture, and food processing, benefiting both nations. Addressing the Asia Pacific Commission (APAC) 2024 Forum, organised by the French Foreign Trade Advisors, he stressed the importance of adopting sustainable practices to counter climate change globally. Bilateral trade between India and France stood at $15 billion in 2023-24, with Indian exports valued at $7 billion and imports at $8 billion. Goyal noted that France ranks as the 11th largest foreign direct investor in India, with over 750 French companies operating in the country and around 70 Indian firms established in France. On renewable energy collaboration, Goyal lauded the success of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a joint initiative led by India and France, which now includes over 100 member countries. In the aerospace sector, Goyal pointed out India’s position as a burgeoning aviation market, with 1,500 aircraft already on order and the potential for orders to rise to 2,000. He urged the French aviation industry to explore manufacturing opportunities in India. Goyal also emphasised the potential for co-innovation in automobiles and electric vehicles, noting India's large base of first-time vehicle buyers. He remarked that offering sustainable mobility options to this demographic would be easier and impactful. Turning to digital technology, Goyal identified promising areas for collaboration, including fostering startups in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and quantum technologies. He further called for enhanced defence sector cooperation, highlighting India’s strong patent protection regime and its approach of not insisting on technology transfers, which makes it an attractive partner for defence innovation.