Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is transitioning from a technology adopter to a solutions provider during the Bharat Innovates event in France [2].
This shift signals India's ambition to move up the global value chain by leading in research and development rather than just implementing foreign tech. By positioning itself as a hub for innovation, India seeks to attract higher levels of foreign investment and deepen strategic ties with European nations.
Modi said global partners should collaborate with India on research, manufacturing, and innovation [1]. He highlighted the rapid growth of the domestic business environment as a primary driver for this transition. "Our startup ecosystem has risen meteoricly and is now the third largest in the world," Modi said [1].
The Prime Minister said the country is now ready to export technological solutions to the rest of the world. He invited international stakeholders to engage in joint ventures that leverage India's scaling capabilities, a move intended to solidify the India-Europe partnership in the tech sector [1].
"India is moving beyond tech adoption to become a solutions provider, and we invite the world to innovate with us," Modi said [2].
The Bharat Innovates 2026 event served as a platform to showcase the capabilities of Indian startups to a European audience [2]. Modi said that the ability to provide scalable solutions is a key competitive advantage for the nation as it seeks to expand its footprint in global manufacturing and digital services [1].
“India is moving beyond tech adoption to become a solutions provider”
India is attempting to pivot its global brand from a destination for outsourced labor to a source of original intellectual property. By leveraging its position as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, the government aims to create a symbiotic relationship with Europe where India provides the scalable innovation and manufacturing capacity to complement European research.
