Prime Minister Modi and French President Macron inaugurate ‘Bharat Innovates’ in France
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday jointly inaugurated the Bharat Innovates 2026 conclave in Nice, which brings together startups, innovators, venture capital funds and academic institutions from India, France and other countries, as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation in technology, innovation and emerging sectors.The three-day event, being held from June 14 to 16, is a major initiative under the Indo-France Year of Innovation and aims to connect Indian innovators with global investors, industry leaders and research institutions.More than 120 Indian deep-tech startups and more than 15 higher education and research institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology, are participating in the conference.Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said that Indo-French relations go beyond traditional trade and strategic cooperation.“Different countries engage in trade with each other and also build strategic partnerships. However, there are some relationships that are driven not only by common interests but also by a common vision. The India-France relationship is one such example,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that the partnership reflects “innovation, inspiration, shared values and shared vision” and has led to new initiatives and solutions to global challenges.
Prime Minister Modi further said: “Innovation is in India’s DNA.”
Macron praises India Innovation ecosystem
French President Macron described hosting the first Bharat Innovates event outside India as a great honor and congratulated Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving Prime Minister since independence.“The question was not whether India innovates, but who will innovate with India,” Macron said, adding that France was proud to host some of India’s leading startups and innovators.Highlighting India’s technological achievements, Macron pointed to the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, saying it demonstrated India’s innovation, implementation and industrial capabilities.
“India is rapidly advancing in research, innovation and pioneering technologies, and is emerging as a global innovation leader,” he said.Macron also stressed that India and France share a “genuine partnership” in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence and climate change, while noting that there is scope to expand cooperation in civil nuclear energy, including small modular reactors.
Innovation is the focus of the strategic partnership
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the event comes at a time when geopolitical shifts and technological transformation are reshaping the global landscape.“We come together at a moment of uncertainty where movement in the world of geopolitics meets the revolution of frontier technology,” Goyal said.
He highlighted India’s startup ecosystem, saying innovation has become a culture in a country supported by more than 230,000 startups.
Goyal also called on French companies to “visit, invest in, design, innovate and manufacture in India.”The meeting is expected to showcase innovations in advanced computing, semiconductors, aerospace and defense technology, biotechnology, healthcare and climate solutions, according to ANI.
Part of a broader visit to France
Ahead of the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi interacted with venture capitalists, global investors and innovation ecosystem leaders, including OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal and entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala.The Nice visit also includes the first bilateral summit between Prime Minister Modi and Macron since India and France upgraded their ties earlier this year to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership”.The two leaders are expected to review progress made since February and discuss future cooperation across strategic and technology sectors.Prime Minister Modi arrived in France on Saturday and will later travel to Slovakia before returning to France to attend the G7 summit in Evian and meetings in Paris.