Nice/New Delhi, Jun 14 ((UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday jointly launched “Bharat Innovates 2026” in the French city of Nice, unveiling an ambitious platform aimed at linking India’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem with European investors, research institutions, universities and technology leaders.
Addressing an audience of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, researchers and industry leaders, Modi described the initiative as a reflection of the deepening India-France partnership, saying the relationship between the two countries is anchored not only in shared interests but also in a common vision for the future.
“Different countries engage in trade and build strategic partnerships, but some relationships are driven by both shared interests and shared vision. The relationship between India and France is one such partnership,” Modi said.
“There is connection and conviction in this relationship. There is innovation and inspiration. There are shared values and a shared vision.”
The event, held as part of the India-France Year of Innovation launched earlier this year, is designed to foster collaboration between startups, investors, academic institutions and technology experts from both nations while expanding opportunities for Indian innovators in European markets.
Thanking Macron for participating in the programme, Modi recalled the French President’s earlier assertion that India and France must work together to address the challenges of the 21st century.
”Today, I can proudly say that this initiative is a step in that direction,” he said, describing Bharat Innovates as a bridge connecting “India’s talent and European capital” and creating opportunities for young innovators to engage with global expertise and investment.
Highlighting the transformation underway in India, Modi said the country was witnessing a startup revolution led by its youth, who are increasingly developing solutions with global applications.
He cited innovations in artificial intelligence, satellite technology, smart cities, advanced manufacturing, green hydrogen, electric mobility, battery technologies, defence and security as examples of India’s expanding technological capabilities.
”You are witnessing the confidence of India’s youth and the energy of a new India,” Modi said. “India is emerging not as a consumer of solutions, but as a contributor of solutions.” The Prime Minister noted that while around 100 startups were showcased at the event, they represented only a small fraction of India’s broader entrepreneurial landscape.
”You may be seeing around 100 to 125 startups here, but India today has a mega pool of more than 200,000 startups. These startups are contributing with new energy to the growth of both the Indian and global economy,” he said.
Emphasising India’s growing role in shaping the future of innovation, Modi declared: “Bharat innovates with scale and speed. Bharat innovates for a sustainable future. And Bharat innovates for the whole world.” He said the world was currently navigating a period marked by both disruption and development, with emerging technologies creating unprecedented opportunities amid geopolitical tensions and the challenges posed by climate change. Pointing to artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, space technology and advanced materials as transformative sectors, Modi said these technologies would define the next phase of human progress.
”Every technological revolution brings a new opportunity for humanity, but also a new responsibility,” he said. “The world is looking for technologies that are trusted, inclusive, human-centric and aimed at global good. India’s priority is Technology for Humanity.”
The Prime Minister said India’s digital transformation had demonstrated that innovation and inclusion can advance together. Referring to India’s digital public infrastructure and its vision of “AI for All,” he stressed that the value of innovation should be measured by its impact on society rather than financial valuations alone.
”The greatness of innovation is not measured only by its valuation. Its greatness lies in its human impact,” he said. Invoking India’s historical legacy as a cradle of knowledge and scientific thought, Modi asserted that innovation was deeply rooted in the country’s civilisational heritage. ”Innovation is in India’s DNA,” he said.
“From mathematics to astronomy, from medicine to yoga, India’s contributions have helped shape the progress of humanity. Today we are giving new speed and new direction to that legacy.” The Prime Minister outlined the measures taken over the last decade to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem, including Startup India, expanded incubation networks, patent reforms, policy support and investments in research and development.
He noted that India had emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem and said innovation was increasingly spreading beyond major cities through initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs, hackathons, innovation challenges and a growing network of incubators and research institutions. Modi also highlighted the growing role of women in entrepreneurship and technology, saying Indian women were creating new success stories “from Drone Didis to startup founders.”
Referring to reforms in the defence, space and nuclear energy sectors, he said these initiatives would unlock fresh opportunities in frontier technologies, advanced manufacturing and clean energy. ”The reform express will not stop,” Modi said. “The number of startups emerging from India will continue to multiply.”
Drawing a contrast with India’s technological journey over the past decade, Modi said the country had moved beyond being merely a consumer of technology. ”A decade ago, the world saw India as a technology adopter. Today, India is emerging as a technology provider,” he said. “Whatever India innovates and whatever solutions India develops benefit a large section of humanity.”
Calling for stronger international cooperation, Modi invited investors, universities, research institutions and entrepreneurs from across the world to deepen engagement with India through joint research, co-development, shared manufacturing and long-term partnerships. ”Bharat Innovates is an invitation to the world to co-create the next chapter of global innovation with India,” he said. “Come to India. Work with us. Design in India. Develop in India. create solutions for the world.”
The launch of Bharat Innovates is expected to become a key component of the India-France Year of Innovation and reflects the expanding strategic convergence between New Delhi and Paris across sectors including defence, clean energy, climate action, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, space cooperation and global governance. The initiative is expected to provide Indian startups and innovators with greater access to European investment, research networks and international markets while reinforcing innovation as a central pillar of the India-France partnership. UNI
