Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron launched the Bharat Innovates 2026 event in Nice, France, this week [1].

The initiative aims to attract foreign investment and strengthen the partnership between India and France by highlighting the growth of India's technology ecosystem [2].

During the visit, Modi met with top global investors and venture capitalists to discuss the potential of Indian innovation [1]. The three-day event [3] serves as a platform to showcase the capabilities of India's emerging tech sector to an international audience [2].

A central feature of the summit is the presentation of 120 Indian deep-tech start-ups [4]. These companies represent various sectors of advanced technology, aiming to secure partnerships, and capital from the assembled global financial leaders [4].

The meetings in Nice occur alongside bilateral discussions between the two leaders, focusing on reinforcing strategic ties [5]. By bringing venture capitalists directly into contact with founders, the Indian government seeks to accelerate the scaling of deep-tech firms through international cooperation [2].

This diplomatic and economic effort emphasizes India's transition from a service-oriented IT hub to a producer of core intellectual property, and advanced technological solutions [2]. The collaboration with France provides a strategic entry point for these start-ups into the European market [5].

“The three-day event serves as a platform to showcase the capabilities of India's emerging tech sector”

The launch of Bharat Innovates 2026 signals a strategic shift in India's economic diplomacy, moving beyond traditional trade to focus on high-value deep-tech exports. By leveraging the India-France relationship, New Delhi is attempting to institutionalize a pipeline for venture capital and technology transfers that can sustain long-term industrial growth.