Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged global partners to collaborate with India's youth-driven innovation during the Bharat Innovates 2026 exhibition in Nice, France [1].
The address signals India's intent to shift its global economic identity from a consumer of foreign technology to a primary exporter of innovative solutions. By positioning the country as a hub for youth-led development, the administration seeks to attract foreign investment and technical partnerships to accelerate domestic growth.
Modi said that "innovation is in India's DNA" [2]. He said that the nation has transitioned its role in the global tech landscape, stating that India has evolved from a technology adopter to a provider, with its innovations benefiting humanity [2].
The Prime Minister emphasized the role of the younger generation in this transition. He said that countries across the world are showing strong interest in India's growth journey, particularly in technology, innovation, and youth-led development [1].
The event, held on Saturday, served as a platform to showcase the country's evolution as a global innovation hub [1]. Modi said international stakeholders should co-create future solutions alongside Indian innovators to address global challenges [1].
This outreach occurs as India seeks to strengthen its strategic ties with European partners. The exhibition in Nice highlighted the synergy between Indian technical talent and global markets, a move intended to solidify the country's influence in the emerging tech sector [1].
“"Innovation is in India's DNA"”
This initiative reflects a strategic pivot in India's foreign policy and economic branding. By framing innovation as a national characteristic and leveraging its demographic dividend of youth, India is attempting to move up the value chain in the global technology sector. This shift from 'adopter' to 'provider' is designed to reduce dependence on foreign intellectual property and establish the country as a center for original research and development.
