PM Modi, French President Macron Inaugurate India's Largest Deep-Tech Showcase, Calls India a 'Solutions Provider' to the World

Global Tech Showcase Begins

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated "Bharat Innovates 2026" in Nice on Sunday, marking one of the most ambitious cross-border technology initiatives undertaken between the two nations. The event, organised by India's Union Ministry of Education, has been described as a landmark moment in the ongoing India-France Year of Innovation, a partnership the two leaders had formally launched in Mumbai earlier this year.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said India is steadily transforming its global identity—from being seen primarily as a market to being recognised as a contributor of solutions to the world. He emphasised that the country's growing innovation ecosystem is now positioned to offer practical, scalable technologies that can address challenges faced by economies worldwide.

A Platform Built for Scale

According to officials associated with the event, Bharat Innovates 2026 has been designed as a high-impact matchmaking platform connecting India's deep-tech ecosystem with global capital, corporate buyers and research institutions. The scale of participation reflects the ambition behind the initiative.

The Indian delegation includes 120 vetted innovators selected through a rigorous screening process overseen by a Technical Oversight Committee led by Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Kumar Sood. Alongside them, more than 15 premier higher education institutions are showcasing research with strong commercialisation potential.

On the investment side, organisers said over 500 global investors—including venture capital firms, corporate venture arms and international CEOs—are attending in search of cross-border opportunities, underlining the scale of interest in India's technology landscape.

Focus Areas Span 13 Sectors

The exhibition spans 13 strategic sectors, ranging from advanced computing, semiconductors and space technology to biotechnology, healthcare, energy and advanced manufacturing. Officials said the breadth of sectors reflects India's attempt to position itself across both frontier technologies and applied industrial innovation.

Sources familiar with the planning said the sectoral spread was deliberately designed to attract a diverse investor base, rather than concentrating attention on a single high-profile domain.

Strong Political Backing From Delhi

The presence of senior cabinet ministers alongside PM Modi signals the strategic weight India is placing on the event. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal are part of the high-level delegation, reflecting the intersection of trade diplomacy and technology policy at this year's summit.

Analysts tracking the visit said such high-powered representation is unusual for an innovation-focused event, pointing to India's intent to convert diplomatic engagement into tangible commercial outcomes.

Investors, Officials Expect Early Outcomes

According to the Ministry, the summit is expected to conclude with formal collaboration frameworks covering research and development partnerships, startup scaling support, and smoother cross-border investment pathways. Initial reports indicate that several memoranda of understanding could be signed during the course of the event, though final details are yet to be confirmed.

Market observers said the announcements could have ripple effects across India's startup financing environment, particularly for deep-tech ventures that often struggle to access long-term patient capital domestically.

Building a Long-Term India-France Tech Corridor

Beyond the immediate funding push, Bharat Innovates 2026 is being viewed as a step toward institutionalising long-term cooperation between the Indian and French innovation ecosystems. Officials said the broader objective is to create durable pathways for technology absorption, joint manufacturing collaborations and pilot projects that could help Indian startups scale into European and global markets.

With both governments emphasising continuity beyond a single event, the initiative is expected to shape future editions of the India-France innovation dialogue, as authorities continue to assess the outcomes of this year's summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in the French Riviera city of Nice on Saturday, as the two leaders sought to deepen the strategic partnership between India and France across technology, defence, and innovation. The meeting came on the first day of Modi’s six-day tour of France and Slovakia.

The leaders warmly embraced before jointly inaugurating the Bharat Innovates programme, a new global platform designed to connect Indian startups with international investors and experts.

Shared Vision Beyond Diplomacy

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi described the India-France relationship as one driven by “shared vision and common thinking.” He emphasised that the partnership extends far beyond trade and defence cooperation, being rooted in trust, democratic values, and a forward-looking approach to global challenges.

President Macron, in turn, hailed India as “a country of innovation” and a key partner in the Make in India initiative. He highlighted ongoing collaboration in defence, technology, artificial intelligence, and climate change, while expressing optimism about expanding ties in civilian nuclear energy, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Spotlight on Startups and Youth

The Bharat Innovates event, running from June 14 to 16 at Palais des Expositions in Nice, brings together over 100 Indian startups with global venture capital funds. Modi noted that India is now home to more than 200,000 startups, many of which are addressing real-world problems in areas such as AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space technology.

The Prime Minister said young Indian entrepreneurs are no longer just consumers of technology but are emerging as solution providers for the world. The initiative aims to give Indian talent greater access to European and global investment networks.

Strong Defence and Strategic Ties

France has emerged as India’s second-largest defence supplier after Russia. Over the years, New Delhi has procured Mirage 2000 fighters, Rafale jets, and Scorpene submarines from Paris. French support remained steady even after India’s 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests when several Western nations imposed sanctions.

Macron has consistently backed India on global forums, including pushing for its permanent membership in the UN Security Council and entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

G7 Summit and Bilateral Engagements

Modi’s French visit includes participation in the G7 Summit in Evian from June 16-17, where he is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump — their first in 16 months. The summit agenda is likely to cover the Ukraine conflict, Middle East tensions including the Strait of Hormuz, and artificial intelligence.

Sources indicated that discussions on a possible multilateral security arrangement for the Strait of Hormuz could see progress, with India favouring a UN-aligned framework involving partners like France and Britain.

On June 14 evening, the Prime Minister will travel to Slovakia for meetings with Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini — the first visit by an Indian PM to the country since its independence in 1993.

Cultural Connect and People-to-People Ties

A cultural programme marked the visit in Nice, where members of the Indian community greeted the Prime Minister warmly. Women from the diaspora also had the opportunity to interact with him. Modi is scheduled to visit Evian and Paris later in the tour, culminating with the VivaTech conference alongside Macron.

This marks Modi’s seventh visit to France as Prime Minister, underscoring the consistent priority both nations attach to the relationship.

Looking Ahead

As geopolitical uncertainties rise, the India-France partnership is seen as a pillar of stability. Cooperation in emerging technologies and clean energy is expected to gain further momentum in the coming months, with both sides committed to translating shared goals into tangible outcomes for their citizens and the wider world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nice on Saturday night, where members of the Indian community gave him a warm reception. He is set to hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron later today.

Warm welcome in Nice

PM Modi landed in the southern French city late evening, and was received at his hotel by a large gathering of Indian-origin residents. Women touched his hands to their foreheads in a traditional gesture of respect, while the Prime Minister picked up a young child affectionately. A cultural programme was also organised at the hotel.

According to local authorities, around 1,500 community members had gathered outside the venue. Many had travelled from other parts of France to attend the reception.

Bilateral talks today

The Prime Minister will meet President Macron on the afternoon of June 14. The two leaders are expected to inaugurate the ‘India Innovates’ programme together. Official sources said the discussions will cover defence, technology, and strategic partnerships.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that India and France are likely to sign around 12 agreements. These span high-tech sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, health technology, space technology, and innovation.

Rafale deal in focus

A significant part of the conversation will revolve around the proposed deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets. India has sought flexibility to integrate its own indigenous weapons into the aircraft. To enable this, New Delhi intends to raise the issue of source code sharing during the talks.

The deal has not yet received clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security. Officials clarified that a final decision will only be taken after the Prime Minister’s visit concludes.

G7 summit and Trump meeting

PM Modi is on a six-day tour of France and Slovakia from June 13 to 18. This is his seventh visit to France as Prime Minister. From June 16 to 17, he will attend the G7 Summit in Evian. On June 18, he will join President Macron at the VivaTech conference in Paris.

During the G7 Summit, Modi is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump. The two leaders will meet after 16 months – they last held talks in Washington in February 2025. Modi had participated in the G7 Summit in Canada last year, but Trump left midway, preventing a meeting at that time.

First PM visit to Slovakia

On the evening of June 14, the Prime Minister will travel from France to Slovakia. He will remain there until June 15. During this period, he will meet Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia became an independent nation in 1993.

France, India strategic ties

According to a 2025 report by French newspaper Le Monde, France stood by India after the Pokhran nuclear tests when major world powers imposed sanctions. Ignoring American restrictions, Paris continued weapons sales, making France India’s second-largest defence supplier after Russia. India has received Mirage 2000 jets, Rafale fighters, and Scorpene submarines from France.

On international platforms, France has consistently supported India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat and membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. President Macron had accepted India’s invitation as Republic Day chief guest in 2024 after US President Joe Biden declined.

Hormuz alliance possibility

During this visit, a decision may also be taken on India joining the Hormuz defence alliance. India had participated in Paris talks led by Britain in April. Officials said New Delhi favours a multilateral security arrangement under UN rules rather than any single-country initiative.