• Established in 1983 by Francis Doré, a scholar with a passion for India, and Kumar Ahluwalia Sunrindar, an entrepreneur who launched the first ever Indian tourism agency in Paris, CCIFI was born from a visionary idea: that the relationship between France and India deserved not only to be celebrated — but structured, strengthened, and sustained through an institution dedicated to economic and cultural partnership.

 

• Formal recognition: This vision was formally recognized by the French State on 27 July 1987, through a decree issued by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Privatisation, then under Minister Alain Juppé in the government of President Jacques Chirac, known for his passion for Asian arts and civilisation.

 

• Decree authority: The decree granted the association exceptional permission to carry the name

“ Chambre de commerce et d’industrie franco-indienne”.

 

• Legal status: The CCIFI – France is a non-profit association under French Law of 1901, duly registered with the Prefecture under no. W751066165, with its registered office in Boulogne-Billancourt.

 

• Evolution and mission: Since then, CCIFI has evolved into a member-driven, non-profit association dedicated to serving the French and Indian business communities in France. Our mission is to strengthen bilateral relations, provide trusted expertise, and foster sustainable, substantive growth between the two nations.

 

• Post-COVID revival: After a brief dormant period around COVID, CCIFI restarted its activities with a new governance and bureau in February 2022.