India and France on Sunday unveiled a vision to jointly innovate solutions to global challenges in digital infrastructure, space, nuclear power and artificial intelligence, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying India is emerging as a solutions contributor and technology provider in a wide range of fields.
Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the Bharat Innovates 2026 program in the port city of Nice, the first stop on the Prime Minister’s nearly week-long Europe tour that will also see him participate in outreach sessions for the G7 summit.
The three-day event is an attempt to match Indian technology startups, innovators, researchers, global innovation funds and entrepreneurs.
The two leaders stressed the trust and shared vision that underpin the strategic partnership between India and France, factors that allow the two countries to work jointly on advanced and sensitive technologies. Modi highlighted India’s emerging image as a country that helps find solutions and provide technologies to the rest of the world.
Speaking in Hindi, he said the startups and entrepreneurs participating in Bharat Innovates represent an India “that is emerging as a contributor of solutions, rather than a consumer of solutions”. “Today, India is emerging as a technology provider. Whatever India innovates, whatever solutions it offers, benefits a large section of humanity,” he said.
“Bharat Innovates is an invitation to the world to co-create the next chapter of global innovation with India,” Modi said. “We seek partnership, joint development, joint research, joint manufacturing and long-term cooperation… Come to India, work with us, design in India, develop in India and create solutions for the world.”
Referring to the shared vision between the two countries, Modi said: “This relationship is full of connection and trust. It also embodies innovation and inspiration, as well as shared values and a shared vision.”
Macron noted that India and France have a shared vision for open research, adherence to international law and the creation of trustworthy, open, safe, reliable, responsible and ethical artificial intelligence. At the same time, France has confidence in India’s ability to innovate because of its demographic gains and its role in leading models of global innovation, he added.
Macron said India could benefit from France’s role as a leading innovation center in Europe and from investments in areas such as artificial intelligence, space, quantum computing and nuclear energy. France has also been part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative in key areas like defense and has set a target to attract 30,000 Indian students by 2030, he said.
Noting that Indian innovators are focusing on smart cities, advanced manufacturing, electric mobility and new technologies for defense and security, Modi said: “India innovates at scale and speed, India innovates for a sustainable future, and India innovates for the entire world.”
He said that in an era of conflict, the increasing impact of climate change and unprecedented disruptions, there are opportunities in sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, space technologies and advanced materials that will shape the future.
Bharat Innovates showcases 120 Indian startups and 20+ Institutes of Excellence working on 13 important technology pillars. More than 350 investors and venture capitalists from all over the world are also participating in this event.
