Bharat Innovates 2026 Showcases India-France Innovation Partnership in Nice
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the growing innovation partnership between India and France.
Organised by the Ministry of Education under the India-France Year of Innovation, the event served as a major platform for connecting Indian start-ups, researchers and innovators with global investors, industry leaders and technology partners.
The inauguration took place during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France, where he also held bilateral discussions with President Macron. The two leaders reviewed progress made since the elevation of India-France relations to a Special Global Strategic Partnership earlier in the year and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Global Platform for Indian Innovators
Bharat Innovates 2026 brought together approximately 120 Indian innovators, nearly 15 higher education institutions and more than 500 investors, including venture capital firms, multinational corporations, chief executives and industry leaders from across the world.
The event focused on 13 strategic sectors, including advanced computing, semiconductors, space technology, biotechnology, healthcare, energy and advanced manufacturing. It highlighted India’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem and its growing capabilities in deep technology.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi described Bharat Innovates 2026 as a landmark initiative that strengthened innovation-led cooperation between India and France. He noted that the platform connected some of India’s most promising start-ups with international investors and accelerated innovations emerging from the country’s higher education institutions.
New Opportunities for Collaboration
The inaugural edition of Bharat Innovates generated fresh opportunities for collaboration in research and development, deep technology, start-up growth and cross-border investments. Several partnership initiatives and collaborative projects were announced during the programme.
According to organisers, the event facilitated interactions between innovators, academic institutions, investors, corporations, universities, research organisations and government stakeholders. Discussions focused on technology validation, co-development projects, pilot programmes, manufacturing partnerships and international market expansion.
The programme also explored avenues for institutional collaboration between Indian and French innovation ecosystems, particularly in technology transfer, co-development and commercialisation of emerging technologies.
Cultural Welcome and Future Engagements
Bharat Innovates 2026 was held under the aegis of the India-France Year of Innovation, which had been jointly launched by Prime Minister Modi and President Macron in Mumbai in February 2026.
Upon his arrival in Nice, Prime Minister Modi received a traditional cultural welcome featuring a special performance titled “Echoes of Tradition, Spirits of Innovation.” The presentation showcased Kathak, Odissi and Bharatanatyam dance forms, celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage alongside its modern spirit of innovation.
Following his engagements in Nice, Prime Minister Modi departed for Slovakia for a two-day State Visit before returning to France to participate in the G7 Summit in Evian on June 16 and 17.