Piyush Goyal Meets Top Global CEOs in Paris to Boost EV and Renewable Energy Investments in India
Paris/New Delhi, June 2, 2025 - In a major diplomatic push to strengthen India’s position as a global investment hub, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday held high-level meetings with top French and global CEOs in Paris, focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy (RE) as core sectors for collaboration.
Currently on an official visit to France, Goyal is engaging with government officials and corporate leaders to deepen Indo-French trade and investment ties. He will also participate in a ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Tuesday.
Strengthening India's EV and Green Energy Vision
Among his key meetings, Minister Goyal met Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group, to discuss India’s emergence as a leading automobile manufacturing hub, with a sharp focus on the electric vehicle ecosystem.
“Held a meeting with Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group. Exchanged views on India’s growing potential as an automobile manufacturing hub, along with emerging opportunities in the EV sector,” Goyal posted on X.
India is expected to become one of the world’s largest EV markets in the coming years, backed by ambitious government targets and rapidly growing domestic demand. Renault has already shown interest in expanding its EV footprint in India, and Monday’s talks could pave the way for future investments or joint ventures.
Global Energy Giants Eye India’s Renewable Sector
Goyal also met Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of EDF (Électricité de France), a state-owned French energy provider, to explore collaboration in India’s renewable energy transition.
“Discussed ways to further integrate sustainable energy solutions into our development roadmap,” the Minister noted.
In another key meeting, Goyal sat down with Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy firm already invested in India’s solar and green hydrogen sectors.
“Discussed the company’s investment plans for India and avenues for deeper collaboration in the renewable energy sector,” Goyal shared.
These discussions reflect India’s determination to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in its clean energy sectors as it strives to meet net-zero emissions by 2070 and transition towards sustainable development.
India-Oman FTA on the Horizon
On the sidelines of his France visit, Piyush Goyal also indicated that India is close to finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Oman. Talks began in November 2023, and Goyal visited the Gulf nation in January 2024.
If signed, the FTA would deepen India’s trade ties in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with Oman serving as a strategic partner in energy and logistics.
Bilateral Engagements with French Government and Business Leaders
During his three-day stay in France, Goyal is set to hold bilateral meetings with top French officials, including:
- Eric Lombard, French Minister of Economy
- Laurent Saint-Martin, French Trade Minister
According to the Commerce Ministry, these meetings will focus on:
- Enhancing bilateral trade volumes
- Increasing French FDI into India
- Collaborating on technology, innovation, and skill development
Meeting French Industry Titans
Minister Goyal is also scheduled to meet with key business leaders from:
- Vicat (cement and building materials)
- L'Oréal (cosmetics and beauty)
- Renault (automobile)
- Valeo (automotive tech)
- EDF (energy)
- ATR (aviation)
These meetings aim to attract fresh investments and joint ventures in India, while providing French companies a stable and high-growth platform for expansion.
Next Stop: Italy
Following his engagements in France, Minister Goyal will proceed to Italy for the next leg of his European tour. The Italy visit is expected to mirror similar engagements with government officials and major corporations to boost bilateral economic cooperation.
Why This Visit Matters
This Europe tour comes at a time when India is positioning itself as a resilient, investment-friendly alternative to China amid global supply chain realignments. With its stable government, pro-industry reforms, and massive consumer base, India is increasingly seen as a strategic growth market.
Minister Goyal’s meetings highlight:
- India’s push for green and sustainable development
- Efforts to build a robust EV manufacturing ecosystem
- Drive to attract global capital and technology into the country
As negotiations with the EU for a broader India-EU FTA continue to progress slowly, these bilateral and corporate engagements act as important bridges to maintain momentum in Indo-European economic ties.