Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi with the French President Emmanuel Macron during the inauguration of Bharat Innovates 2026, Indian deep technology event, in Nice, France June 14, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (June 14, 2026) jointly inaugurated the ‘Bharat Innovates 2026’ conclave in Nice, bringing together leading startups, innovators and venture capital funds from India, France and several other countries.
Mr. Modi was warmly welcomed by Mr. Macron in Nice, where the two leaders greeted each other with a hug and a handshake ahead of a key bilateral engagement.
Mr. Modi and Mr. Macron jointly inaugurated the ‘Bharat Innovates’ event, a major global platform bringing together leading startups and venture capital funds form India, France and other countries.
Speaking after inaugurating the ‘Bharat Innovates’ event in Nice, Mr. Modi said “India, France have special partnership; it has connection, conviction, innovation, inspiration and shared vision.”
“India’s young innovators are finding solutions that can benefit all of humanity,” said Mr. Modi
Mr. Modi said “India has emerged not as consumer of solutions but as contributor to solutions in the world. Innovation is in India’s DNA.”
At ‘Bharat Innovates’ event Mr. Modi said “India is innovating for a sustainable future; India is innovating for the world.”
Speaking at the event, France President Emmanuel Macron said “We respect Make-in-India initiative; France has been part of it in diverse sectors.”
Mr. Macron further said “India is a country of innovation. India, France have a true partnership in critical sectors like AI and climate change.”
The French President said “There is scope to expand bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy sector including in area of Small Modular Reactors.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with leading venture capitalists, global investors and innovation ecosystem leaders in Nice, France, ahead of the inauguration of the landmark Bharat Innovates 2026 conclave, a flagship event aimed at showcasing India’s growing deep-tech and start-up capabilities on the global stage, along with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Minister of Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal, along with the Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Kumar Sood, was also present there during the interaction.
Among those the Prime Minister interacted included CEO of OYO Rooms, Ritesh Agarwal, and Indian entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala, along with several global investors and innovation ecosystem leaders.
Published – June 14, 2026 04:03 pm IST
