PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurate Bharat Innovates event in Nice
Nice, June 14
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated Bharat Innovates event at Palais des Expositions in Nice, France today. The landmark initiative showcases India’s rapidly expanding innovation and startup ecosystem. The flagship event being held under the India-France Year of Innovation, brings together over 120 Indian startups and leading investors, technology leaders and premier educational institutions from across the globe. It features innovations across 13 key sectors, including advanced computing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, space technology, clean energy and biotechnology.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said Bharat Innovates is emerging as a bridge between India’s talent and European capital, creating new opportunities for young innovators to connect with global expertise. Highlighting India’s startup revolution, Mr Modi said, the country’s youth are developing solutions for global challenges in areas ranging from artificial intelligence and space technology to green energy, advanced manufacturing and defence innovation. He noted that India today has over two lakh startups and is promoting a model of human-centric innovation guided by the principle of Technology for Humanity.
Highlighting the strength of India-France ties, Prime Minister Modi said, while many nations engage in trade and strategic cooperation, only a few relationships are guided by a shared vision as well as common interests. He described the India-France partnership as one such enduring relationship, rooted in mutual trust, shared values and a common outlook for the future. He said, Innovation, technology and the aspirations of India’s youth are driving country’s transformation and shaping the future.
Addressing the gathering, French President Macron praised India’s emergence as a global innovation powerhouse and said the question today is no longer whether India is innovating, but who will innovate with India. He highlighted India’s vast pool of engineering talent and lauded country’s achievements such as the Chandrayaan mission as examples of India’s technological excellence. President Macron said Bharat Innovates creates a strong bridge between India’s innovation ecosystem and France’s thriving technology landscape. He described it as an honour for France to host the first edition of the initiative outside India. Referring to the India-France Year of Innovation launched earlier this year in Mumbai, Mr Macron said France was proud to be chosen as the partner country to showcase India’s leading startups and innovators, fostering collaboration with investors, entrepreneurs and talent networks. He also congratulated Prime Minister Modi on becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India since Independence.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and several prominent business leaders were also present on the occasion.
Speaking at the event, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, said India is emerging as a trusted and reliable partner at a time of global geopolitical and technological transformation. Highlighting India’s youthful demographic, vast talent pool and thriving innovation ecosystem, he noted that the country now has over 2.3 lakh startups under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Goyal said the 120 innovators participating in the event represent only a fraction of India’s capabilities and invited French businesses to strengthen partnerships by investing, designing, innovating and manufacturing in India for both the domestic and global markets.
The Minister stated that India and France have elevated their ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership, highlighting growing cooperation in innovation and artificial intelligence. He said, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the AI Action Summit in Paris in 2025 and French President Emmanuel Macron joined India for the AI Impact Summit in 2026, the two leaders have reunited in Nice to reaffirm their shared vision for a more inclusive and innovative world. Mr Goyal added that the celebration of 2026 as the India-France Year of Innovation provides an ideal backdrop for the initiative.
Following the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron visited the exhibition and interacted with startup founders, researchers and investors participating in the event. Ahead of the event, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed at the venue by President Macron with a hug.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will hold bilateral talks to review progress in the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership and discuss key regional and global issues