Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the “Bharat Innovates 2026” event in Nice on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the India-France Year of Innovation. The high-profile gathering brought together startups, venture capitalists, investors, technology experts, researchers and policymakers from across the world, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, manufacturing and innovation-led growth.
The event formed a key part of Prime Minister Modi’s ongoing Europe visit, which includes engagements in France and Slovakia as well as participation in the upcoming G7 Summit. The visit is aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships, expanding technology cooperation and enhancing India’s engagement with European nations.
President Macron personally welcomed Prime Minister Modi in Nice before the two leaders jointly launched the innovation conclave. Their meeting reflected the growing strategic partnership between India and France, particularly in areas such as technology, innovation, defence, clean energy and economic cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi underlined India’s emergence as a major global innovation hub and invited international investors to participate in the country’s growth story.
“Happy to meet you in Nice, my friend President Macron. Thank you for taking part in ‘Bharat Innovates’ at a time when our nations are marking the ‘Year of Innovation’,” PM Modi said in a statement after the event.
He added that the discussions at the conclave offered valuable insights into future opportunities for collaboration.
“The conversations at Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice were enriching and insightful. Engaged with investors and venture capital leaders on the immense opportunities India offers across innovation, technology, manufacturing and emerging sectors,” the Prime Minister said.
Highlighting India’s economic strengths, PM Modi noted, “India’s growth is powered by talent, scale, stability and reform, making it an attractive destination for investment and innovation.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks were seen as a strong pitch to global investors and technology companies looking to expand operations in fast-growing markets. India has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for startups, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, semiconductor development and digital innovation.
The Bharat Innovates 2026 platform was designed to facilitate deeper collaboration between Indian and French startups, investors, academic institutions and innovation ecosystems. Participants discussed opportunities in sectors ranging from AI and deep technology to green energy, digital infrastructure, healthcare innovation and advanced manufacturing.
Speaking at the event, Modi emphasized that innovation has become an integral part of India’s development model. He highlighted the country’s growing startup ecosystem and its expanding role in global technology solutions.
According to reports from the event, the Prime Minister stated that “innovation is in India’s DNA,” stressing that Indian entrepreneurs and innovators are increasingly contributing to global technological progress.
President Macron also praised India’s dynamic innovation ecosystem and reiterated France’s commitment to expanding cooperation with India in cutting-edge technologies and research. The French leader described innovation as a central pillar of the bilateral relationship and welcomed stronger partnerships between companies and institutions from both countries.
The India-France Year of Innovation was launched earlier this year as a framework to deepen cooperation in science, research, startups, artificial intelligence and technology-driven industries. Both governments view innovation as a key driver of future economic growth and strategic cooperation.
Modi’s visit to France extends beyond the innovation summit. During his stay, he is expected to hold detailed bilateral discussions with Macron covering the entire spectrum of India-France relations. The talks are likely to focus on strategic cooperation, defence partnerships, trade, investment, climate action and emerging technologies.
The Prime Minister’s Europe tour comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen ties with key European partners while expanding its role in global economic and technological governance. France has emerged as one of India’s closest strategic allies in Europe, with cooperation spanning defence, space, maritime security, energy and innovation.
Following his engagements in Nice, Modi is scheduled to participate in the G7 Summit, where he is expected to hold discussions with several world leaders on pressing global challenges, economic growth, technology governance and issues affecting developing nations. The Prime Minister has already indicated that India will continue to represent the aspirations of the Global South during international deliberations.
“India will not only present its own perspectives but also voice the concerns and aspirations of the Global South,” Modi said ahead of the summit.
Analysts view the Bharat Innovates initiative as an important step in strengthening innovation diplomacy between India and France. The event showcased India’s technological capabilities while creating new opportunities for collaboration in areas expected to define the global economy over the coming decades.
As leaders, investors and entrepreneurs gathered in Nice, the message from both governments was clear: innovation, technology and entrepreneurship will remain at the heart of the India-France partnership. With artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and digital transformation reshaping economies worldwide, both nations are seeking to build a long-term framework for cooperation that can deliver benefits far beyond traditional diplomatic ties.
