PM Modi, French Prez Macron inaugurate 'Bharat Innovates' in Nice

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday jointly inaugurated the Bharat Innovates 2026 conclave in Nice, positioning innovation and technology collaboration at the centre of the growing India-France strategic partnership. The three-day event brings together startups, investors, researchers and academic institutions from both countries as they seek to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies and future industries.The conclave held from June 14 to 16 under the India-France Year of Innovation, aims to create stronger links between Indian innovators and global investors, industry leaders and research institutions. More than 120 Indian deep-tech startups and over 15 higher education and research institutions, including several IITs, are participating in the event.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said the relationship between India and France extends beyond conventional trade and strategic cooperation and is rooted in a shared vision for the future.“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,” the Prime Minister said.He described the partnership as one that reflects innovation, inspiration, shared values and common aspirations, adding that the two countries have worked together to develop solutions to global challenges. Stressing India’s growing role in technology and entrepreneurship, Modi said, “Innovation is in India’s DNA.”

#WATCH | Nice, France: At 'Bharat Innovates' inauguration event, PM Narendra Modi says, "...Different countries across the world do trade with each other and also strike strategic partnerships with each other. But there are few relations which are driven by shared vision, besides… pic.twitter.com/BRqSCgiUMU

— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2026

Macron highlights India's innovation strength
French President Emmanuel Macron said it was an honour for France to host the first edition of Bharat Innovates outside India and congratulated Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving Prime Minister since Independence.“The question is not whether India is innovating, but who will innovate with India,” Macron said, underlining France’s commitment to working closely with Indian startups, entrepreneurs and research institutions.Highlighting India’s achievements in science and technology, Macron referred to the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, describing it as a demonstration of the country’s innovation capabilities, industrial strength and ability to execute complex projects.
“India is advancing rapidly in research, innovation and frontier technologies, and is emerging as a global innovation leader,” he said.The French President noted that India and France have already established strong cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate action and advanced technologies. He also identified civil nuclear energy, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as a sector with significant potential for future collaboration.

VIDEO | Nice, France: French President Emmanuel Macron says, "India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved the first-ever landing near the Moon's south pole in July 2023, demonstrated remarkable innovation, execution and industrial capability. The world increasingly sees India… pic.twitter.com/0VuLioU1Aw

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 14, 2026

Ahead of the inauguration, Modi interacted with venture capitalists, global investors and leaders of the innovation ecosystem, including OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal and entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala.The Nice visit is part of a broader diplomatic engagement between India and France following the elevation of bilateral ties earlier this year to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership.” The leaders are expected to review progress across strategic, technological and economic cooperation and identify new areas for collaboration.Modi arrived in France on Saturday and is scheduled to travel to Slovakia before returning for the G7 Summit and additional engagements in France, where discussions are expected to focus on innovation, economic cooperation and emerging technologies.