France and India sign MoU to Strengthen Partnership on Skilling in Key Sectors of Mutual Interest

In a significant step forward in Indo-French cooperation, the Government of the French Republic and the Government of the Republic of India today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in the fields of skills development, vocational education, and training.

The MoU was signed between His Excellency Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, and Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon'ble Minister of State (IC) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Minister of State for Education, during the Bharat SkillNXT 2025 event held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Also present for the occasion were Shri Jitin Prasada, Hon'ble Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, and Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Hon'ble Minister of State for Education.

Bharat SkillNXT 2025 marked 10 years of the Skill India Mission, an ambitious initiative that has already enabled 1.6 crore young Indians to receive training under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). This MoU, signed as part of the anniversary celebrations, sends a powerful message: France and India are investing in people, skills, and a shared future. As both nations navigate global transitions in technology, industry, and employment, this partnership marks a milestone in reimagining international cooperation through education and training.

This renewed commitment builds on over a decade of growing partnership in the skilling ecosystem. From the 2013 Letter of Intent to the creation of a Joint Working Group in 2019, France and India have consistently demonstrated a shared ambition to empower youth and foster professional mobility, especially in key economic sectors. The new MoU reinforces this cooperation, setting the stage for dynamic multisectoral initiatives, including joint curriculum development, trainer exchanges, internships, and the establishment of Franco-Indian vocational campuses.

"The growing need for a skilled global workforce has never been more urgent," said Ambassador Mathou. "India's ambitious Skill India Mission and France's revamped vocational training policy converge in their belief that acquiring skills is not only an economic imperative, but also a path to dignity, opportunity, and inclusion. Today's MoU is a concrete step toward achieving this shared vision."

The agreement identifies key sectors of mutual interest, such as aeronautics, hospitality, energy, media, fashion, and art and crafts, reflecting the evolving demands of both economies. It also outlines mechanisms to facilitate bilateral exchanges between Indian institutions, such as the Directorate General of Training, and their French counterparts, the various Campus des Métiers et des Qualifications (CMQ).

Highlighting future prospects, Ambassador Mathou announced the upcoming launch of a Franco-Indian Aeronautics and Space Campus, envisioned as a flagship initiative under the India-France Year of Innovation 2026.