Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the Bharat Innovates 2026 conclave in Nice on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in India-France bilateral relations. According to The Times of India, the three-day event running from June 14-16 brings together 120 Indian innovators, 15 odd Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and over 500 investors, including leading corporates and venture capital firms, along with global CEOs and industry leaders. This would be the maiden edition of Bharat Innovates and will showcase India's deep tech innovators and start-ups to the global investors and industry in Nice. Modi is expected to be accompanied by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and commerce minister Piyush Goyal for the event.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Paris, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that 'India is emerging as a trusted partner to the world' during these challenging times. As reported by Business Standard, Modi stated that 'There was a time when relations between countries were determined solely by trade, but today, trust has become just as important alongside trade.' He highlighted that 'Every country wants a reliable supply chain. Every country wants a stable partnership. Every country is in search of such partners on whom trust can be placed for the long term, and at such a time, India is emerging as a trusted partner in the world.' Modi noted that at the G7 meeting in Evian, he emphasized that 'Bharat's message to the G7 Summit was clear: global governance will only be effective when it is inclusive; global growth will be sustainable when it is shared; and technology will truly benefit humanity when it is trusted.'
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India's manufacturing potential and sought French investment during his address at the Bharat Innovates event. According to NDTV, Goyal invited French businesses to 'visit India, invest in India, design in India, innovate in India and manufacture in India' for both domestic market and export opportunities. He emphasized that 'India can offer a huge talent pool and scale for manufacturing' and noted that 'in the uncertain global economic environment, the world is seeking partnership with trusted and reliable partners' - a position that India can fulfill. Goyal added that 'innovation is now a culture which is powered by 2,30,000 startups' in India, demonstrating the country's manufacturing readiness and technological capabilities.
Speaking to the Indian diaspora, Modi highlighted India's remarkable transformation over the past 12 years since his government took office. As reported by Business Standard, Modi revealed that 'Today's India and its youth are dreaming very big dreams. India's farmers are moving forward with new possibilities. India's women are demonstrating new leadership.' He emphasized that 'Beyond economic growth, India's journey is about empowering people and transforming lives' and noted that '25 crore people in the country have been lifted out of poverty in the last 12 years.' Modi added that 'Today's story of India is not just the story of economic progress. It is also the story of social transformation.' He concluded that 'Fifty or a hundred years from today, when this era is reviewed, it will emerge that this era was driven by India's aspirations. Today's India is building the entire ecosystem of the future. India is investing in every sector that will shape the direction of the coming decades.'
Following the Bharat Innovates conclave, PM Modi will return to France to participate in the G7 Summit in Evian on June 16-17. According to India News Live Updates, at the summit, Modi is expected to exchange views with G7 leaders and invited partner countries on issues including international cooperation, economic growth and artificial intelligence. He is also scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the gathering. The Nice visit includes the first bilateral summit between PM Modi and Macron since India and France elevated their ties to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' earlier this year, with both leaders reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation. Modi also announced that the two countries are launching the TRISHNA satellite next year, which will contribute to ensuring water and food security in the world.
