Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the Bharat Innovates 2026 conclave in Nice on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in India-France technological collaboration. The event brings together startups, innovators, venture capital funds, and academic institutions from India, France, and other nations, as both countries seek to strengthen ties in technology, innovation, and emerging sectors.
Three-Day Innovation Showcase
The conclave, running from June 14 to 16, is a flagship initiative under the India-France Year of Innovation. It aims to connect Indian innovators with global investors, industry leaders, and research institutions. Over 120 Indian deep-tech startups and more than 15 higher education and research institutions, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), are participating in the event.
PM Modi Highlights Shared Vision
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi emphasized that India-France relations transcend conventional trade and strategic cooperation. He stated, "Different countries engage in trade with one another and also build strategic partnerships. However, there are some relationships that are driven not only by shared interests but also by a shared vision. The India-France relationship is one such example." He added that the partnership reflects "innovation and inspiration, shared values and a common vision," leading to new initiatives and solutions for global challenges.
Macron Praises India's Innovation Ecosystem
French President Macron described it as an honor to host the first Bharat Innovates event outside India and congratulated Modi on becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister since independence. He remarked, "The question was not whether India is innovating, but who will innovate with India," and expressed pride in hosting some of India's leading startups and innovators. Macron highlighted India's technological achievements, particularly the Chandrayaan-3 mission, as a demonstration of India's innovation, execution, and industrial capabilities. He noted, "India is advancing rapidly in research, innovation and frontier technologies, and is emerging as a global innovation leader." Macron also stressed the "true partnership" in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence and climate change, while underscoring scope for expanded cooperation in civil nuclear energy, including Small Modular Reactors.
Innovation at Core of Strategic Partnership
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal remarked that the event occurs amid geopolitical shifts and technological transformation reshaping the global landscape. He said, "We are meeting at a moment of uncertainty when the churn in the world of geopolitics is meeting the churn of frontier technology." Goyal highlighted India's startup ecosystem, noting that innovation has become a culture in a country with over 230,000 startups. He invited French businesses to "visit, invest in, design in, innovate in and manufacture in India." The conclave is expected to showcase innovations in advanced computing, semiconductors, space technology, defense, biotechnology, healthcare, and climate solutions, according to ANI.
Part of Wider France Visit
Before the inauguration, PM 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 Modi and Macron since India and France elevated their ties earlier this year to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership." The leaders are expected to review progress since February and discuss future cooperation across strategic and technological sectors. PM Modi arrived in France on Saturday and will later travel to Slovakia before returning to France for the G7 Summit in Evian and engagements in Paris.
