By India and France took another step toward strengthening their strategic partnership on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the Bharat Innovates 2026 conference in Nice. The event brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers from both countries, with a strong focus on technology, innovation, and future-ready collaboration.
The conference served as a platform to showcase India’s growing innovation ecosystem while underlining the importance of international cooperation in an increasingly technology-driven world. Both leaders emphasized that trust, shared values, and collaborative research will play a critical role in shaping the next phase of global technological development.
Addressing participants, Prime Minister Modi projected India as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and advanced research. He invited international investors, universities, research institutions, and startups to explore opportunities in India, describing the country as a destination where ideas can be transformed into scalable solutions for global challenges.
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s expanding startup ecosystem, digital infrastructure, and skilled talent pool, saying these strengths have positioned the country as one of the world’s most dynamic innovation destinations. He urged global stakeholders to partner with India not only for business growth but also for developing technologies that can create meaningful impact worldwide.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the theme of cooperation, stressing the importance of building trusted partnerships in emerging technologies. He noted that innovation can thrive when countries work together, share expertise, and create ecosystems that encourage research and development. Macron also underscored the growing importance of the India-France relationship in areas ranging from technology and innovation to education and industrial collaboration.
The event was attended by senior leaders from both countries, including Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The Mayor of Nice and representatives from academia, industry, venture capital firms, and technology companies were also present.
Bharat Innovates 2026 is being held against the backdrop of the India-France Year of Innovation, a broader initiative aimed at deepening cooperation in science, technology, startups, and emerging industries. The conference is expected to facilitate partnerships between Indian startups and global investors while encouraging joint research projects and technological exchanges.
Observers see the event as part of a wider effort by both nations to strengthen economic and strategic ties beyond traditional sectors. With innovation increasingly driving global competitiveness, India and France appear keen to position their partnership at the forefront of technological transformation.
As discussions continue over the coming days, Bharat Innovates 2026 is expected to generate new opportunities for collaboration, investment, and knowledge-sharing, further reinforcing the growing relationship between the two countries.
