French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 14 June 2026 jointly inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France, with Macron declaring that India and France are opening a new chapter for talent, investment and concrete solutions. The event marks a significant milestone in the France-India strategic partnership, coinciding with Modi's seventh official visit to France.

Macron's Welcome and Tribute to Modi

In a post on social media platform X, President Macron expressed his delight at hosting Prime Minister Modi, describing him as a 'dear friend.' 'From Nice today to G7 Evian and VivaTech in Paris, this seventh visit reflects the exceptional strength of the France-India partnership,' Macron wrote, adding that both nations are working toward 'concrete solutions for our people.'

During his address at the inauguration of Bharat Innovates 2026, Macron also congratulated Modi on a historic personal milestone. 'A few days ago you became the Prime Minister with the longest serving time since the Independence of India — this long run says a lot about your determination, the strength of your country,' Macron said, calling it a moment of pride for France to host him.

Modi on India's Innovation Ecosystem

Prime Minister Modi used the Nice platform to project India's growing stature as a global technology contributor. He said India's innovation ecosystem is rapidly expanding and is increasingly playing a role in addressing global challenges through technology and entrepreneurship.

'India now acts as a solution contributor rather than a solution consumer,' Modi said — a formulation that signals a deliberate repositioning of Brand India in international forums. He added that India is innovating at both speed and scale, with a focus on sustainable solutions that benefit not only Indian citizens but the global community at large.

Modi's Two-Nation Visit: Schedule and Context

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Nice on Saturday, 13 June at the invitation of President Macron, with the French city serving as the first stop of his two-nation visit. Following the Bharat Innovates 2026 inauguration, Modi is scheduled to participate in the G7 Summit in Evian, France, on 16–17 June, also at Macron's invitation. He is also expected to attend VivaTech in Paris, one of Europe's largest technology and startup conferences.

This is Modi's seventh visit to France, underscoring the depth of bilateral ties that span defence, space, nuclear energy, and now technology and innovation. The choice of Bharat Innovates 2026 as a centrepiece of the visit signals both governments' intent to anchor the partnership increasingly in the knowledge economy.

What This Signals for India-France Ties

The Nice summit comes amid a broader global competition for talent and technology investment, with major economies actively courting India's startup and engineering talent pool. France's hosting of Bharat Innovates 2026 — a platform dedicated to Indian innovation — is a pointed statement of intent. Notably, this is the first time such a dedicated India-focused innovation showcase has been held on French soil, according to reports.

As Modi heads to the G7 in Evian next, the Nice engagements set the tone: India is arriving not as a recipient of global goodwill but as a peer contributor to solutions on climate, technology, and economic resilience.