Telangana Proposes Joint Working Group to Boost Tourism and Cultural Ties with France

The Telangana government has invited France to promote the state's diverse tourism attractions as part of efforts to strengthen tourism and cultural ties between the two regions. During a meeting at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat in Hyderabad on Monday, June 29, 2026, Minister of Tourism Jupally Krishna Rao proposed enhanced cooperation to French Consul General Marc Lamy and Deputy Consul Pascal Loreau.

Minister Rao highlighted Hyderabad's evolution into a vibrant global city while preserving its unique historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. He stated that stronger tourism and cultural cooperation would create new opportunities for investment and economic growth. He also proposed expanding cultural exchange programmes through reciprocal visits by artists, scholars, tourism professionals, and cultural delegations from Telangana and France.

To institutionalise cooperation, Rao suggested constituting a joint working group to identify areas of collaboration in heritage conservation, cultural exchanges, and tourism promotion, paving the way for long-term partnerships between Telangana and France.

The French delegation described tourism as a key driver of economic growth, employment generation, and international engagement. They noted that France receives over 100 million international visitors every year and that tourism and culture play a significant role in attracting global investment while strengthening people-to-people ties.

The delegation also highlighted the growing India-France strategic partnership across sectors such as defence, pharmaceuticals, technology, and innovation. They informed the Minister that nearly 200 French nationals currently reside in Telangana and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in tourism, culture, and heritage conservation.