In a significant development for India-France relations, French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou inaugurated the “Bureau de France” in Hyderabad to enhance cooperation between France and Telangana.
The “Bureau de France,” an extension of the Consulate General of France in Bengaluru, was inaugurated at T-Hub, Raidurg. The ceremony, held on Wednesday, was attended by T-Hub CEO Mahankali Srinivas Rao, Consul General of France in Bangalore Thierry Berthelot, and Telangana Minister for Information and Technology D Sridhar Babu, according to an official release.
Ambassador Mathou expressed pride in inaugurating the Bureau de France in Hyderabad and noted that France is the first country to establish an office at T-Hub. He thanked Indian partners, particularly T-Hub and the Government of Telangana, for their support.
He also shared his enthusiasm for strengthening cooperation with Telangana, saying, “This expansion of the network in India was announced by President Macron with the goal of scaling up cooperation with #Telangana across all areas and particularly key sectors such as tech and space.”
CEO Mahankali Srinivas Rao highlighted the collaboration as a significant moment for innovation between France and Telangana, stating, “At T-Hub, we are excited to witness the inauguration of the Bureau de France in Hyderabad. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in fostering innovation and collaboration between France and Telangana.”
The decision to establish a Bureau de France in Hyderabad and a Consulate General of India in Marseille was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Paris on July 14, 2023, and reiterated on January 26, 2024, during President Macron’s state visit to India.
The Bureau de France in Hyderabad, a branch office of the Consulate General of France in Bangalore, covers Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Located at T-Hub, the bureau aims to create more connections with Telangana’s innovation ecosystem, promote business ties in sectors such as space, tech, and industry, and facilitate scientific and research exchanges.
The bureau will also provide consular support to the French community in Telangana on behalf of the Consulate General in Bangalore.
Telangana’s effective policies to facilitate foreign investments and attract skilled talent have made Hyderabad an ideal location for the Bureau de France, which seeks to expand economic partnerships in sectors such as aerospace, technology services, and smart cities.
The French diplomatic and consular network in India, one of France’s largest globally, includes the Embassy of France in New Delhi, four consulate generals (Mumbai, Puducherry-Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata), and two Bureaus de France (Chennai and Hyderabad).