Last Updated on July 3, 2026 1:55 am by BIZNAMA NEWS
AMN / BIZ DESK
INDIA’S Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, currently on an official visit to France, held a series of high-level meetings with leading French business executives on Thursday, focusing on strengthening financial cooperation, boosting investment flows and exploring opportunities in advanced aviation manufacturing.
During her meeting with Yann Gérardin, Deputy CEO and Executive Chairman of Corporate and Institutional Banking at BNP Paribas Group, discussions centred on India’s evolving banking sector and its growing attractiveness as a global investment destination. Gérardin said international investors continue to view India as a credible destination for capital and praised the country’s achievements in building a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
Sitharaman highlighted the government’s decision to establish a committee to chart the future of India’s banking sector as part of its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. She invited Gérardin’s suggestions for the proposed panel and underlined India’s efforts to position its banking industry globally through digital innovations, including the expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure and the Account Aggregator framework.
In a separate meeting, the Finance Minister held talks with Sébastien Bougon, President of Flying Whales, on potential collaboration in sustainable aviation and cargo transport. Bougon briefed Sitharaman on the company’s public-private partnership projects worldwide and its heavy-lift airship technology, which is designed to improve connectivity in remote and landlocked regions while reducing the environmental impact of cargo transportation.
He also conveyed the company’s interest in establishing a comprehensive manufacturing ecosystem in India, positioning the country as a key production base for its future operations.
Welcoming the proposal, Sitharaman said India offers significant opportunities for companies such as Flying Whales and encouraged the firm to engage with the country’s vibrant startup ecosystem. She also highlighted the advantages offered by the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City, including its regulatory framework for aircraft leasing, ship leasing, and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, which could support the company’s long-term expansion plans in India.