Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday jointly inaugurated “Bharat Innovates 2026” in the French city of Nice, a three-day innovation conclave that brings together startups, innovators, and venture capital funds from India, France, and other countries.
The event was launched during Modi’s visit to France, where he is also due to take part in high-level engagements, including the G7 summit.
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#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, today jointly inaugurated 'Bharat Innovates 2026' at the Palais des Expositions, Nice. It showcases India's premier deep technology at the global stage, presenting 120 pathbreaking start-ups and over 20… pic.twitter.com/xuU3xkSEzH
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2026
Shared vision, shared voyage
At the inauguration, Modi cast India-France relations as a partnership built on both strategic interests and shared values. “There are some relations that are driven by shared vision, along with shared interest. The relation between France and India is like that. In this relation, there is connection as well as conviction. In this relation, there is innovation and inspiration. In this relation, there are shared values and shared vision,” he said.
He added that "innovation is in India’s DNA” and said the country has “shown direction to the world through its innovations for thousands of years.”
#WATCH | Nice, France: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "Today, Prime Minister began his official engagements with participation in Bharat Innovates 2026, which he inaugurated jointly with President Macron. The Bharat Innovates event, as you probably know, is a platform to… pic.twitter.com/2L1L8bNUDC
— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2026
The engines of innovation gather steam
The Prime Minister also framed the conclave as part of India’s broader technology narrative, saying the country is no longer merely adapting global tools but contributing to them.
“We are no longer just adopters of technology; we are providers of technology. Whatever India innovates is aimed at benefiting humanity. Bharat Innovates seeks to advance that very vision,” he said.
Modi further said India wants technology that is “trusted, inclusive, and human-centric,” describing that approach as central to the country’s digital revolution.
A future sketched in code and enterprise
Modi said the vision behind India’s innovation push is captured in the idea of “AI for All.” He said India has emerged “not as a consumer of solutions, but as a contributor of solutions,” and pointed to the scale of the startup ecosystem, saying, “India today has a vast pool of more than 200,000 startups, contributing to both the Indian and global economy.”
After the Nice event, Modi is scheduled to travel to Slovakia for a state visit from June 14 to 15, 2026, the first such visit by an Indian prime minister since the country’s independence in 1993.
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FAQs
Q1: What is Bharat Innovates 2026?
Ans: Bharat Innovates 2026 is a three-day innovation conclave in Nice, France, bringing together startups, innovators and investors from India, France and other countries.
Q2: What did PM Narendra Modi say at Bharat Innovates 2026?
Ans: PM Modi said that “innovation is in India’s DNA” and highlighted India’s role as a contributor of technology and innovation for global benefit.
