Source The Hindu
NICE, FRANCE — In a major push to redefine the global technology landscape through shared trust, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the maiden international edition of the “Bharat Innovates 2026” conclave today at the Palais des Expositions in Nice.
The high-stakes, three-day event marks a historic milestone in the ongoing India-France Year of Innovation. It serves as a premier launchpad for India’s rapidly growing deep-tech ecosystem, bringing together 120 advanced Indian startups, over 20 premier Institutes of Excellence (including the IITs), and more than 350 global venture capitalists, investors, and industry leaders.
Bridging Indian Talent and European Capital
Addressing a distinguished global audience, Prime Minister Modi pitched India not merely as a market, but as a primary destination for technological co-development. He highlighted India’s swift transition from a technology adopter to a primary technology provider, pointing to massive strides in space, defense, and green energy.
“Bharat innovates with scale and speed,” PM Modi stated during his address. “Bharat innovates for a sustainable future, and Bharat innovates for the whole world. Innovation is in India’s DNA. Bharat Innovates is an invitation to the world to co-create the next chapter of global innovation with India.”
The Prime Minister emphasized a model of “human-centric innovation,” urging entrepreneurs and investors to look beyond market valuations and measure success by a technology’s positive impact on humanity. He also noted that recent domestic legislative reforms—such as India’s SHANTI Act—have unlocked unprecedented private-sector opportunities in civil nuclear energy, advanced modular reactors, and clean tech.
A Partnership Anchored in Tech Security
President Emmanuel Macron warmly lauded the depth of the bilateral bond, noting that hosting the inaugural international chapter of Bharat Innovates in Nice is a powerful testament to the “Special Global Strategic Partnership” established between the two nations earlier this year.
Both leaders heavily focused on the core themes of trust, economic security, and reliable supply chains in critical sectors. The conference will showcase breakthrough innovations across 13 strategic technological pillars, including:
Semiconductors and Advanced Computing
Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Biotechnology, MedTech, and Healthcare
Space Technology and Defense Innovation
Green Hydrogen and Next-Gen Battery Mobility
Deepening the Strategic Autonomy
Following the inauguration, PM Modi and President Macron retreated to the historic Villa Kérylos in Nice for extensive, delegation-level bilateral talks. Accompanied by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the leaders reviewed the “Horizon 2047 Roadmap.”
To support the massive tech influx, the two nations agreed to establish a high-level economic mechanism aimed at doubling bilateral trade within the next five years. They also welcomed a newly minted Dialogue on Economic Security to fortify supply chain resilience in critical minerals and announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics in Kanpur.
As the conclave rolls out from June 14 to June 16, it is poised to catalyze several cross-border investment frameworks and institutional research partnerships, solidifying the Indo-French alliance as a stabilizing, sovereign force in global high technology.
For more visual updates and on-ground coverage of the summit, you can watch this DD India broadcast on Bharat Innovates 2026, which highlights the arrival of the leaders and the scale of the deep-tech startup exhibition in Nice.
