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IFCCI Luxury Committee and Comité Colbert Sign Landmark MoU in Paris
The event launched 'India’s New Script on Luxury, Craft and Culture', strengthening long-term Indo-French collaboration.
IFCCI Luxury Committee and Comité Colbert Sign Landmark MoU in Paris
The milestone event launched the programme ‘India’s New Script on Luxury, Craft and Culture’. Both moments came together to cement a long-term platform for Indo-French cooperation and brought together leading voices from government, diplomacy, luxury, design, retail, law, education and culture.
TheIFCCI Luxury Committee and Comité Colbertsigned a landmark Memorandum of Understanding in Paris on 1 July 2026, establishing a long-term framework for collaboration across luxury, craftsmanship, culture, design and the creative industries.
The agreement was signed during ‘India’s New Script on Luxury, Craft and Culture’, a half-day programme held at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Paris. The event brought together leaders from luxury maisons, fashion, design, retail, real estate, policy, law, education and India’s craft and couture ecosystems.
Under the MoU, the IFCCI Luxury Committee and Comité Colbert will develop sustained engagement through roundtables, symposiums, industry delegations, knowledge papers, policy dialogues and cultural exchange programmes. The partnership will also encourage closer interaction between French luxury maisons and Indian designers, artisans, creative entrepreneurs and institutions.
The signing came at a pivotal moment for India’s luxury sector. Expanding premium retail infrastructure, rising consumer sophistication, deep craft traditions and a confident new generation of designers are positioning India both as a fast-growing market and as an increasingly influential creative voice.
A long-term framework for Indo-French exchange
The MoU was the defining milestone of the programme. It moved the conversation beyond a single event and created a structure for sustained cooperation. Its scope reflects the many connections between luxury and culture: the transmission of savoir-faire, the value of craftsmanship, responsible growth, education, policy, market access and the preservation of living heritage.
For both organisations, the partnership offers a practical way to connect French maisons with India’s market ecosystem, while also creating space for cultural exchange and knowledge-sharing between institutions, industry leaders and emerging talent.
The opening programme: policy, diplomacy and a shared institutional vision
The first part of the programme set out the strategic context for the MoU. Government, diplomatic and industry speakers examined India’s evolving luxury landscape, the policy conditions needed for growth and the wider importance of India-France cultural and commercial exchange.
Chairperson, IFCCI Luxury Committee; Founder, Peepul Advisory
Opening the programme, Ms Bhattacharya positioned luxury as a language of cultural diplomacy, one that carries memory, skill, identity and imagination. She emphasised the opportunity to bring together two cultures of savoir-faire while giving Indian designers, artisans and creative entrepreneurs a stronger voice in the global conversation.
Watch: Opening remarks by Srimoyi Bhattacharya
Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, IAS
Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India
In his special video message, Mr Bhatia placed the discussion within India’s wider industry and commerce agenda. His address highlighted the country’s evolving luxury landscape and the need for policy, enterprise and creative capability to work together as Indian brands, craftspeople and global companies pursue new opportunities.
Trade Advisor, European Commission
Mr Dross focused on advocacy and policy dialogue as enablers of luxury growth in India. His presentation underlined the importance of clear trade and institutional frameworks, sustained public-private engagement and greater confidence for companies seeking to build for the long term.
President and CEO, Comité Colbert
Ms Epinay described the MoU as an invitation to deepen exchange between French maisons and India’s creative ecosystem. She placed craftsmanship at the centre of the partnership, with a focus on learning from one another and ensuring that heritage remains alive and relevant.
Director General, IFCCI
Ms Kanwar emphasised that the agreement gives structure and continuity to a relationship whose potential has long been evident. She highlighted India’s importance as a consumer market and as a growing voice in discussions on retail, craftsmanship, policy and cultural value.
Secretary-General, LVMH Group
In his keynote address, Mr Jamet brought a global luxury perspective to the programme. He highlighted India’s significance not only as a market, but also as a source of talent, culture and exceptional craft expertise, and pointed to the value of deeper exchange between French maisons and India’s creative industries.
H.E. Mr Sanjeev Singla
Ambassador of India to France and the Principality of Monaco
Ambassador Singla situated the new partnership within the depth of the India-France relationship. His address underscored how luxury, craft and culture can strengthen bilateral ties by connecting institutions, industries and creative communities, and by turning shared respect for heritage into durable opportunities.
Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad
Ms Caroit highlighted the role of culture and the creative industries in international cooperation. Her address reinforced the value of practical partnerships that connect people, institutions and businesses, while giving the France-India relationship new channels for cultural and economic exchange.
Founding Partner, Trilegal
Immediately after the signing, Mr Jaitly presented ‘A Framework for French Luxury Growth in India’. He focused on the legal and business environment for French maisons, stressing the importance of an India-specific, long-term strategy grounded in a clear understanding of regulation, commercial models and local partnerships.
AN AFTERNOON OF KNOWLEDGE-SHARING
India’s place in the global luxury value chain
The first panel, ‘India: On the Front Row or Behind the Scenes?’, examined whether India is still seen primarily through craft and production or is increasingly recognised for design authorship, entrepreneurship and brand creation. Moderated by Anurag Tyagi, Vice-Chairperson, IFCCI Luxury Committee and Founder, Sōka House, the panel brought together Ankit Mehta, Arun Jothi, Dhruv Kapoor and Florence Louisy.
Couture, authorship and the global visibility of Indian design
The programme then moved from institutional frameworks to creative expression. In the fireside chat ‘The Rising Voice of Couture’, couturier Gaurav Gupta and Pascal Morand, Executive President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, discussed Indian couture, global fashion systems and the international recognition of Indian design. The conversation was moderated by Divia Thani, Global Editorial Director, Condé Nast Traveller.
Retail infrastructure and the next phase of market growth
A wide-ranging panel on the Indian luxury market examined the infrastructure and operating environment needed to support the sector’s next phase of growth. Moderated by Anurag Tyagi, the discussion featured Pushpa Bector of DLF Retail, Sujal Shroff of JSW Realty, Rajneesh Mahajan of Inorbit Malls, Samir Gadhok of Burgundy Brand Collective and Claudio Grillenzoni of Reliance Group.
The speakers considered premium real estate, mall formats, customer experience and the long-term investment required to create environments that meet the expectations of global brands and Indian consumers.
Understanding the Indian luxury consumer
The panel ‘Insights on the Indian Consumer as Seen Across Luxury Categories’ explored aspiration, experience, taste and behaviour that has catalyzed the market for luxury in India. Moderated by Shefalee Vasudev, Editor-in-Chief of The Voice of Fashion and Atlas of Affluence, it featured Karishma Swali, Vikram Goyal and Rohan Vaziralli.
The discussion reflected a consumer base that is increasingly informed, discerning and culturally confident. Across categories, authenticity, design, personalisation and the quality of the experience are becoming as important as visibility and status.
From influence to aspiration
A fireside conversation between Srimoyi Bhattacharya and Masoom Minawala, Content Creator, Global Influencer and Entrepreneur, examined how digital voices are shaping luxury demand. The session looked at the role of creators and cultural tastemakers in discovery, aspiration and purchasing decisions, as well as the new routes through which Indian creativity reaches global audiences.
The talent question
Talent development was recognised as a central requirement for sustainable growth. Moderated by Payal S. Kanwar, the panel brought together Dhaval Gandhi, Co-Founder of The School of Luxury Retail; Jamie Gill, Founder of The Outsiders Perspective; and Gianni Nembrini, Fashion Design and Fashion Product Program Leader at Istituto Marangoni Paris.
The speakers discussed education, industry partnerships, diversity, development and leadership, and the need to prepare talent for a sector that combines specialist expertise with customer understanding, cultural awareness and international business.
Heritage, innovation and future exchange
The final presentations returned to the relationship between heritage and innovation. Designer Vaishali S. presented “Project Indian Weaves: Culture, Heritage and the Future of Handloom Innovation”, interpreting India’s textile traditions through a contemporary couture lens.
Aurélien Sostaponti, Director of the Mumbai Office and Lifestyle, Healthcare and Services Department at Business France, presented “Art de Vivre à la Française 2027”, offering a forward-looking perspective on French lifestyle expertise and future initiatives. Shweta Pahuja, Regional Director, Western Region, IFCCI, closed the programme and outlined the importance of carrying the day’s conversations into continued action.
Watch the programme
MoU Signing between IFCCI Luxury Committee and Comité Colbert in Paris
Insights on the Indian Consumer as seen across Luxury Categories
Navigating Opportunity, Education, Partnership, Diversity, Development and Leadership
The Indian Luxury Market – New Developments & Growth Drivers - Discussing Retail Infrastructure
Advocacy & Policy Dialogue – Enabling Luxury Growth in India
Presentation on the Framework for French Luxury Growth in India by Akshay Jaitly, Trilegal
Presentation on Art de Vivre à la Française 2027 by Aurelien Sostaponti, Business France
Fireside Chat: From Influence to Aspiration: How Digital Voices Are Shaping Luxury Demand
Special Address by Ms. Bénédicte Epinay, President & CEO, Comité Colbert
Special Video Message by Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia (IAS), Secretary, DPIIT, Govt of India
Special Address by Ms. Éléonore Caroit, Minister Delegate for Francophonie | IFCCI Luxury
Keynote Address by Marc-Antoine Jamet, Secretary-General, LVMH Group
Special Address-H.E. Mr. Sanjeev Singla, Ambassador of India to France & the Principality of Monaco
Closing Remarks - Shweta Pahuja, Regional Director (Western Region), IFCCI
Acknowledgements
The IFCCI Luxury Committee extends its sincere appreciation to all speakers, delegates and partners whose participation and support contributed to the success of the inaugural edition.
Strategic Partner: DLF Emporio / The Chanakya
Banking Partner: HSBC
Cultural Partner: Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre
Knowledge Partner: Trilegal
Event Partner: Diot-Siaci
Talent Partner: The School of Luxury Retail
Supporting Partners: Business France and Longform PR
Gifting Partners: Art Chives, Idli by Thierry Journo, Kama Ayurveda and MANE
The inaugural edition of “India’s New Script on Luxury, Craft and Culture” moved the India-France luxury conversation from shared intent to a structured programme of collaboration. With the MoU at its centre, it created a foundation for continued engagement across business, policy, design, craftsmanship, education and cultural exchange.
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