Power and prestige meet Parisian Savoir-Faire
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It isn’t every day that we see the corridors of statecraft intersect so seamlessly with the rarefied world of luxury. Yet Mumbai witnessed precisely such a moment when power and prestige gathered under one roof in celebration of a shared vision.
On February 17 evening, two French ministers -- Roland Lescure, minister of economy, finance, and industrial, energy, and digital sovereignty, and Eléonore Caroit, minister delegate for Europe and foreign affairs overseeing Francophonie, international partnerships, and French citizens abroad -- lent diplomatic gravitas to an elegant soirée hosted by Galeries Lafayette Mumbai.
The occasion marked the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, transforming the evening into more than a celebration -- it became a statement of intent. Following the formal inauguration earlier that day at the iconic Gateway of India, the gathering served as the programme’s designated cultural engagement, where diplomacy met design, and innovation found its most stylish stage.
Following the formal proceedings, members of the delegation gathered at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai, where the evening programme was curated in collaboration with the Embassy of France in India, the Consulate General of France in Mumbai and the Institut Français en Inde. “The India–France Year of Innovation 2026 celebrates creativity, collaboration, and the enduring friendship between the two nations, reflecting our shared heritage, strong cultural roots, and commitment to shaping a future driven by innovation together,” said Lescure at the event. “As our economies grow more interconnected, platforms such as Galeries Lafayette Mumbai illustrate how trade and cultural enterprise can reinforce one another. Strengthening collaboration in innovation, manufacturing and creative industries will be central to building sustainable growth between our two nations.”
Designed as an extension of the bilateral dialogue beyond ceremony, the evening unfolded through a structured programme that combined keynote remarks, a ceremonial honour book signing and curated musical performances. This enabled a considered progression from formal statecraft to purposeful cultural and intellectual exchange. “Galeries Lafayette Mumbai is in fact a great illustration of the French ideal of design and Art de vivre. And that ideal, very close to that of India, is bond in long term heritage and extremely refined craftsmanship; and yet, it is inventive, and pioneering,” added Eléonore Caroit.
Speaking on the occasion, Nicolas Houzé, Chairman of the Board, Galeries Lafayette Group said, "The India-France Year of Innovation is a powerful affirmation of the creative and entrepreneurial dialogue that has long connected our two nations. At Galeries Lafayette, innovation has always meant more than technology -- it is about reimagining retail as a cultural platform. With our Mumbai flagship, we are proud to create a space where French savoir-faire meets India’s extraordinary creative energy, fostering new ideas, partnerships and experiences for the future."
The evening saw participation from leadership across Indian and French industry, diplomacy, and the innovation ecosystem. collectively reflecting France’s influence across business, culture, and innovation. Their presence reflected the strength of the French luxury and business ecosystem and its growing synergy with Indian enterprise. The engagement brought together decision-makers from the public and private sectors, enabling meaningful dialogue across enterprise, innovation, and international cooperation. True to the spirit of Créateurs de Convivialité, the evening was supported by Pernod Ricard India, reinforcing the group’s long-standing Indo-French business partnership and its commitment to fostering meaningful connections.
“Hosting the cultural engagement for the India-France Year of Innovation at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai reflects our belief that retail today must serve as a platform for ideas, exchange and creative dialogue. Situated in the historic heart of Mumbai, this flagship represents the meeting of India’s forward momentum with France’s enduring legacy of design and artistry,” ABFRL MD Ashish Dixit said. “We are honoured to create a space where bilateral collaboration moves beyond ceremony and finds expression through culture, craftsmanship and innovation.”
By anchoring a key cultural engagement within the official programme, Galeries Lafayette Mumbai reaffirmed its role as an institutional bridge within the India-France partnership. The evening underscored how the platform seamlessly unites diplomacy and enterprise, creating a space where dialogue extends beyond formal protocol into purposeful cultural and commercial exchange.