India-France: Business France set to lead more than 110 French businesses during a strategic week

From February 16-22, 2026, India will host a particularly busy week for Franco-Indian relations, with key events highlighting the strength of the bilateral partnership. To mark the occasion, Business France will lead a delegation of over 110 French businesses, which will embark on a series of meetings with a significant economic and technological impact.

This series of events comes at a particularly good time, with the European Union and India having concluded a free trade agreement in New Delhi, opening access to one of the world’s most dynamic markets and creating new opportunities for European businesses. This agreement notably includes the reduction or elimination of 96.6% of customs duties and the prospect of doubling European exports to India by 2032

• Artificial intelligence: Speeding up France’s presence in a rapidly expanding market

In this new economic landscape, the challenge is to speed up France’s presence in the strategic sectors of artificial intelligence (AI), data, quantum computing and cybersecurity, at a time when the Indian artificial intelligence market—estimated at US$1.7 billion—is growing at an annual rate exceeding 30%, with investments expected to reach US$45 billion by the end of 2026.

This ambition is being put into practice at the AI Impact Summit 2026, at the heart of the AI Summit and Expo. Business France will unveil the first national pavilion at the summit, bringing together nearly 30 French exhibiting businesses, at an event that attracts more than 40,000 participants.

The French pavilion will showcase a mature and operational technological offering, featuring key players, such as Atos, Safran, Engie, CMA CGM, Schneider Electric and France Data Centre, with practical applications of artificial intelligence and digital technology in infrastructure, energy, aerospace and critical services.

In addition to this international showcase, the French AI delegation will offer a targeted immersion program in Bangalore and New Delhi, bringing participants closer to India’s AI and DeepTech ecosystems. Nearly 40 French startups, SMEs and mid-sized companies, such as CGX AERO, Fusion.AI, NUMEUM and Owkin, will take part in qualified business meetings, workshops, pitch sessions, investor meetings and exchanges with local incubators.

This program is designed to build operational co‑operation and establish long-term Franco-Indian technological partnerships.

• India-France Year of Innovation: A highlight of the bilateral partnership

The week will also see the official launch of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 in Mumbai by Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. To mark the occasion, 22 French businesses will take part in an official mission led by Business France.

• Creativity, design and art de vivre: A cultural and economic dimension of the partnership

Beyond cutting-edge technologies, the week will highlight another aspect of the Franco-Indian partnership: the French art de vivre, encompassing the design, crafts, home decor, furniture, tableware, food and lifestyle industries.

At India Design ID, France will be celebrated as the country of honor, with the “Art de Vivre à la Française” exhibition, bringing together some twenty French businesses and illustrating how French expertise can combine creativity, innovation, practicality and economic appeal.

By co‑ordinating these different events, Business France will offer French firms greater access to Indian ecosystems and key decision-makers. With more than 1,100 French businesses operating in the country, which is a domestic market of 1.4 billion people, and one of the fastest-growing economies in the G20, India is establishing itself as a strategic long-term market for French businesses.

With offices in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, Business France supports firms at every stage in their development through targeted prospecting, qualified networking, access to local ecosystems and support to ensure a lasting presence.