France has committed to provide over 2 billion euros for smart city projects in India with a focus on Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry, a development that could give boost to prime minster Narendra Modi's Digital India vision.
France in April had already committed 600 million euros for Smart Cities and projects related to sustainability, including in renewable energy and energy efficiency," Francois Richier, Ambassador of France in India said Wednesday.
The move reinforces France's strong focus on the country.
Besides developing the smart cities, France was keen to develop heritage sites and tourism for the smart cities.
According to Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, and Parliamentary Affairs to M. Venkaiah Naidu, France is already pledging financial support in developing three cities in the country and the Indian government was looking towards more such partnerships with France.