Union minister of commerce and industry Suresh Prabhu on Sunday said France is keen on investing big in India, which will bring technology and wealth, and create jobs for the country's youth.
Prabhu on Saturday met a high-level delegation from France in New Delhi.
India's "strategic partner" is a technologically advanced country, and the relationship with France will help the country grow in a big way, he said.
"France has always been our strategic partner. In 1998, after we tested nuclear bombs, France stood with us. The country helped us strategically and technologically, as it is a technologically advanced country," the minister told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.
Prabhu said he met a trade delegation from France, which included ministers and industry leaders, for around two-and-a-half hours yesterday.
"They want to invest in the country in a large number along with their technological knowledge. Technology and wealth will come in India and this will also create jobs. So I understand that the expanding ties with France will help our country in a big way," he said.
Indian and French companies and government entities yesterday signed deals in New Delhi worth 13 billion Euro (over Rs 1 lakh crore) across areas like aviation, renewable energy and waste management.
On being given additional charge of civil aviation ministry, Prabhu said that he would take the charge before making any statement.