French Minister calls on L-G during visit to Puducherry

A delegation led by Sophie Primas, French Minister for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, called on Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan at the Raj Nivas on Friday.

Ms. Primas is in India on a three-day official trip (November 27 to 29) to boost Indo-French business and innovation ties.

She was accompanied by Thierry Mathou, French Ambassador to India, Benoît Gauthier, Head of the Regional Economic Service, Embassy of France, Etienne Rolland-Piègue, Consul General-designate at the Consulate General of France in Pondicherry and Chennai, and Jean-Philippe Heather, Deputy Consul General.

Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan and A. Nedunchezhian, Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor were also present.

In a post on “X”, the French Embassy in India termed the Minister’s visit to the Raj Nivas a courtesy call. “She recalled the special ties between France and Puducherry and how the UT is a window open towards France,” the Embassy said.

A press note from the French Embassy, said the French Minister, began her India visit in New Delhi, where she met Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, and along with him jointly inaugurated the France-India CEOs Forum. She also participated in the first Asia Pacific Forum hosted by the Conseillers du Commerce (French Foreign Trade Advisors or CCEs).

During the visit, the Minister sought to enhance ease of doing business and investment flow between France and India, the goal being to not only increase French investments in India but to also invite more Indian FDI into France, Europe’s leading FDI destination, the Embassy said.

In Chennai, the Minister-led delegation visited Saint Gobain’s R&D Centre, located at the IIT-Madras Research Park. Before coming to Puducherry, Ms. Primas inaugurated the new French international school in the presence of Chennai Mayor Priya Ranjan.

Her engagements in Puducherry, included paying tribute at the French War Memorial to those who laid down their lives for France in World War I and visiting the Lycée français international school where she interacted with students, teachers, parents and alumni.

Published - November 29, 2024 07:58 pm IST