Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Paris late Wednesday night as part of his ongoing Europe visit and received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora. People gathered outside his hotel to greet him, with the Prime Minister interacting with community members and children before beginning his engagements in the French capital.

Modi is scheduled to attend the major European technology event, VivaTech 2026, on Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected to participate in the conference, which brings together technology companies, startups, investors, innovators, and policymakers from around the world.

The Prime Minister's visit comes immediately after his participation in the 52nd G7 Summit held in Évian-les-Bains, where India attended as a guest nation. During the summit, Modi held several bilateral meetings with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump.

The visit highlights India's growing engagement with global technology and innovation ecosystems at a time when artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and emerging technologies are becoming central to international economic cooperation.

Focus on Technology and Innovation

VivaTech is considered one of Europe's largest technology conferences and serves as a platform for showcasing innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, green technology, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurship.

An India Pavilion has also been established at the event to showcase Indian startups, technological advancements, and innovation-led initiatives. The pavilion is expected to highlight India's expanding role in the global startup ecosystem and digital economy.

Officials said the event provides an opportunity for Indian companies and innovators to connect with international investors and technology leaders.

Bilateral Engagements at G7

Ahead of his Paris engagements, Modi attended the G7 Summit, where discussions focused on global economic growth, energy security, technology partnerships, trade, and geopolitical challenges.

During the summit, Modi met several world leaders, including Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Friedrich Merz, Ursula von der Leyen, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Mark Carney.

The meetings reportedly covered issues related to investment, energy cooperation, trade expansion, technology partnerships, and regional security.

Slovakia Honor and France Agreements

Before attending the G7 Summit, Modi visited Slovakia, where he was conferred the country's highest civilian honour, the Order of the White Double Cross (First Class), by Peter Pellegrini.

Earlier in France, Modi and Macron held bilateral talks in Nice. According to official statements, the two leaders discussed cooperation in defence, trade, technology, education, and space. Several agreements were signed, and both countries launched a new Economic Security Dialogue aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties.

Why the Visit Matters

India's participation in both the G7 Summit and VivaTech underscores its growing global influence in economic and technological affairs. The Paris visit is expected to strengthen India-France cooperation in innovation, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and strategic industries.

As global competition intensifies in emerging technologies, India's presence at VivaTech 2026 is likely to provide new opportunities for startups, investors, and technology partnerships while reinforcing the country's position as a leading innovation hub.

Bharat Innovates 2026 brings together Indian innovators, global investors and research institutions, with PM Modi saying India is emerging as a provider of solutions to global challenges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday jointly inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France, marking a significant step in strengthening innovation and technology cooperation between the two countries. The event, organised by India’s Ministry of Education, is being positioned as a major platform to connect Indian startups, researchers and technology enterprises with global investors, industry leaders and academic institutions.

The launch comes as part of the India-France Year of Innovation, an initiative aimed at deepening collaboration in science, technology and entrepreneurship. Addressing participants at the event, Prime Minister Modi said India was steadily emerging as a contributor of solutions to global challenges, underlining the country’s growing role in areas ranging from deep technology to sustainable development.

Focus on Innovation

Bharat Innovates 2026 has been designed as a global showcase for India’s innovation ecosystem. Officials said the programme seeks to create opportunities for Indian startups and research institutions to access international markets, secure investment and develop cross-border partnerships.

The event has drawn participation from more than 500 global investors, venture capital firms, corporate leaders and technology experts. Organisers expect discussions over the next few days to focus on funding opportunities, research collaboration and commercialisation of emerging technologies.

Indian Startups Take Centre Stage

A key feature of the summit is the presence of 120 Indian innovators selected through a vetting process overseen by a Technical Oversight Committee led by Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood.

These startups and innovators represent a broad spectrum of sectors, many of which are considered critical to future economic growth and technological competitiveness. Several are expected to hold one-on-one meetings with investors and industry representatives seeking new opportunities in Asia’s rapidly expanding technology market.

Officials indicated that the platform has been structured not merely as an exhibition but as a business-focused engagement designed to facilitate investment deals, market access and technology transfer arrangements.

Thirteen Strategic Sectors

The exhibition highlights developments across 13 strategic sectors, including advanced computing, semiconductors, biotechnology, healthcare, space technology, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

The emphasis on deep-tech sectors reflects India’s broader ambition to move beyond traditional startup models and build globally competitive capabilities in high-value research and innovation-driven industries.

French institutions and companies are also participating, providing opportunities for joint research projects and commercial partnerships.

Strong Political Support

The presence of senior leaders from both countries has underscored the strategic importance attached to the initiative. Alongside Prime Minister Modi, the Indian delegation includes External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

Officials familiar with the programme said the involvement of top policymakers is intended to signal long-term governmental support for deeper economic and technological engagement between India and France.

The summit is also expected to contribute to broader bilateral objectives, including enhanced trade, industrial cooperation and investment flows.

Expanding the Tech Corridor

Beyond immediate business opportunities, Bharat Innovates 2026 is aimed at building institutional links between Indian and French innovation ecosystems. Policymakers view the initiative as a mechanism for creating sustainable channels for collaboration in research, product development and manufacturing.

Experts believe such partnerships could help Indian startups gain easier access to European markets while enabling French firms to tap into India’s growing technology and talent base.

Looking Ahead

As discussions continue in Nice, attention will be on potential agreements and collaboration frameworks that may emerge from the event. Officials have indicated that outcomes could include new partnerships in research and development, startup scaling programmes and measures to simplify cross-border investment processes.

With innovation increasingly becoming a key pillar of economic diplomacy, Bharat Innovates 2026 is being seen as an important effort to position India more prominently within the global technology landscape while reinforcing strategic ties with France.

New Book Revives Claims of Brigitte Macron Slapping Husband Over Actress Messages

A new book by a French journalist has thrust French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte back into the spotlight, linking a viral video from last year to alleged private messages exchanged with Iranian-born actress Golshifteh Farahani.

The claims, detailed in Florian Tardif’s Un Couple (Presque) Parfait (An (Almost) Perfect Couple), published on May 13, suggest marital tension escalated during a presidential trip to Vietnam in May 2025 after Brigitte reportedly saw messages on her husband’s phone.

Viral Video from Hanoi

Footage from Hanoi showed Brigitte Macron appearing to slap or push her husband’s face as the couple prepared to disembark the plane. The clip spread rapidly online, sparking global speculation about discord in the presidential marriage. At the time, Macron’s team described it as a light-hearted joke between the couple before an official engagement.

President Macron later played down the incident, urging people not to exaggerate what he called a private moment of jest. Officials initially suggested it might even be manipulated footage, before settling on the explanation of playful banter.

Book Links Incident to Alleged Messages

According to Tardif, a journalist known for covering French politics and previously associated with Paris Match, the argument stemmed from messages between Macron and Farahani. The actress, who has appeared in Hollywood films like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, reportedly shared a “platonic relationship” involving emotional conversations for several months.

One alleged message from Macron reportedly read: “I find you very beautiful” or similar compliments. The book claims Brigitte saw the exchange shortly before landing in Hanoi, leading to heightened tensions. Sources cited in reports say the discovery caused the disagreement to worsen visibly.

Denials from All Sides

Brigitte Macron’s representatives have firmly rejected the allegations. They stated that she does not check her husband’s phone and described the book’s claims as false. Farahani had earlier dismissed rumours of any romantic involvement, attributing such stories to people’s own emotional voids.

The Élysée Palace has not issued an official statement on the new book so far. Allies of the couple continue to maintain that the plane incident was nothing more than harmless horseplay.

Background of a Controversial Relationship

The Macrons’ own love story has long fascinated the French public. Brigitte, 24 years older than Emmanuel, was his drama teacher when they met in the early 1990s in Amiens. She was married at the time with three children, one of whom was Macron’s classmate. Their relationship faced strong opposition from his family, who sent him to Paris to distance the pair. Yet the two stayed in touch and married in 2007.

Brigitte has been a constant presence in Macron’s political journey, serving as an informal adviser. The couple has no children together but maintains close ties with her family.

Public Reaction and Political Context

The resurfacing of the story has triggered fresh online debate in France and abroad. While some view it as tabloid fodder, others see it as highlighting the intense personal scrutiny faced by public figures. Tardif, who claims access to over 70 sources close to the couple, positions the book as an exploration of power dynamics and personal life at the highest levels.

As France navigates various domestic and international challenges, the personal lives of its leaders often become subjects of intense speculation. The timing of the book’s release has added to the buzz, just as political conversations shift towards future elections and policy priorities.

What Lies Ahead

No immediate legal action or further official clarification has emerged. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly private moments can fuel public narratives in the age of viral videos and instant commentary.

Observers note that the Macrons have weathered previous controversies through a mix of denial, humour, and focus on governance. Whether this latest claim fades or lingers may depend on further developments or responses from those involved. For now, it remains a contested account in the complex tapestry of one of France’s most talked-about political partnerships.