Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron launched the Bharat Innovates 2026 event in Nice, France, on June 14, 2026 [1, 2].
The event marks a strategic push to integrate Indian deep-tech capabilities with French industrial expertise. By showcasing high-growth startups on European soil, the initiative aims to accelerate joint ventures in artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
Bharat Innovates 2026 is designed as a three-day showcase [2]. The event features approximately 120 Indian deep-tech startups [2], providing a platform for these companies to present their innovations to international investors and government officials.
The launch occurred during an official visit by Modi to France [1, 2]. The two leaders held talks prior to the event to discuss the broader India-France partnership and the role of emerging technologies in global security and economic growth [1, 2].
This initiative focuses specifically on India's AI capabilities and its burgeoning startup ecosystem [1, 2]. The collaboration in Nice serves as a physical hub for networking between Indian entrepreneurs and French tech firms, a move intended to foster long-term research and development agreements.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of innovation as a pillar of the diplomatic relationship. The event highlights the shift toward a more technical and digital-centric partnership between the two nations [1, 2].
“Bharat Innovates 2026 is designed as a three-day showcase”
The launch of Bharat Innovates 2026 signals a shift in the India-France relationship from traditional defense and aerospace cooperation toward a digital-first partnership. By leveraging the deep-tech sector, India is positioning itself not just as a consumer of technology, but as a primary exporter of AI and innovation, while France seeks to diversify its tech ecosystem through strategic alliances with the Global South.
