India, May 7 -- The French government signed a wide-ranging pact with the automotive industry on Monday that sets new targets for electric vehicle sales, just as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived for a state visit clouded by trade tensions in the sector.

The contract between the government, French business groups and unions aims for a fourfold increase in the sale of 100% EVs to 800,000 a year in 2027. It also targets a sixfold increase for electric light commercial vehicles to 100,000 a year.

While there's no explicit amount specified for new subsidies, the government will repeat pledges to continue with support for EV purchases and leases. The contract also has a chapter on "ensuring our sovereignty" that includes stress testing su...