Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks in Nice, France, to launch the Bharat Innovates 2026 event [1].
The initiative signals a deepening strategic alignment between India and France, specifically targeting the integration of emerging technologies into national infrastructure and trade.
Bharat Innovates 2026 is a three-day event [2] designed to promote Indian deep-tech startups to a global audience of investors and venture capitalists [3]. The summit focuses on several critical sectors, including artificial intelligence, deep-tech startups, trade, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare [1].
During the proceedings, approximately 120 Indian deep-tech startups were showcased [2]. The event serves as a platform for these companies to secure funding and establish partnerships within the European market.
Ahead of the official launch, Modi interacted with various venture capitalists and investors in Nice [3]. These meetings were aimed at strengthening the India-France partnership by highlighting the scalability of Indian innovation, a move intended to attract foreign direct investment into the Indian tech ecosystem.
While the primary focus of the visit centered on technology and innovation, the bilateral talks between the two leaders also addressed broader geopolitical concerns. The discussions took place against the backdrop of ongoing global instabilities, though the specific outcomes of those diplomatic exchanges were not detailed in the event's primary launch announcements [1].
“Bharat Innovates 2026 is a three-day event designed to promote Indian deep-tech startups.”
The launch of Bharat Innovates 2026 represents a shift in the India-France relationship from traditional defense and aerospace cooperation toward a digital-first economic partnership. By leveraging France as a gateway to Europe, India is attempting to institutionalize its 'deep-tech' brand, moving beyond software services into high-value intellectual property and hardware innovation.
