Bharat Innovates 2026: Strengthening India-France Ties Through Innovation

Inauguration of Bharat Innovates 2026

On Sunday, Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, officially launched Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France. He emphasized the importance of this event for fostering significant partnerships with French collaborators. Goyal highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has cultivated a culture of innovation, supported by over 230,000 startups. He noted that the 120 innovators present at the event represent just a fraction of India's potential.

During his speech, Goyal remarked on the current global uncertainties, where geopolitical shifts intersect with advancements in technology. He stated, "In such times, nations look for trustworthy partners, and India stands ready to fulfill that role. We offer the vigor of the world's youngest large nation, a talented workforce, and unmatched scalability." He encouraged French businesses to explore opportunities in India for investment, design, innovation, and manufacturing, catering to both the domestic market and international exports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised India's startup ecosystem during the event, asserting that "innovation is embedded in India's DNA." Speaking in front of French President Emmanuel Macron, he invited global tech leaders to come to India to create solutions for the world. Macron, prior to Modi's address, acknowledged India's leadership in research and innovation, citing the Chandrayaan-3 mission as a prime example of India's capabilities in the space sector, which successfully landed on the Moon's south pole in record time.

Bharat Innovates 2026 is a key initiative within the framework of the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation, symbolizing the strengthening relationship between the two countries.