Modi, Macron tour Villa Kerylos in Nice during India-France summit
Synopsis
PM Modi's Nice visit was more than a diplomatic stopover — a joint stroll through Villa Kerylios with Macron, a 'Bharat Innovates' inauguration, and investor meetings signal that India is actively weaving its startup story into its foreign policy, with France as a willing co-author.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron visited Villa Kerylios in Nice on 14 June during Modi's official France trip.
The two leaders jointly inaugurated 'Bharat Innovates' , a showcase of India's technology and startup ecosystem.
Modi highlighted India's position as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem , built over 11–12 years .
Macron congratulated Modi on 12 years as India's leader and called his presence at the event an honour for France.
Modi held pre-event meetings with investors and VC leaders from India, France, and other countries.
Formal India-France bilateral talks were scheduled later the same day, covering defence, technology, and trade.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron visited the historic Villa Kerylos in Nice, France on Sunday, 14 June, taking time between engagements to explore the landmark together in what officials described as a relaxed, collegial setting. The visit came as part of Modi's official trip to France at Macron's personal invitation.
Bharat Innovates: The Day's Main Event
Earlier on Sunday, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the 'Bharat Innovates' event in Nice, a showcase of India's technology and startup ecosystem. Modi used the platform to reaffirm India's commitment to innovation, declaring that the country's reform momentum would continue without interruption.
'Over the past 11–12 years, India has built a strong ecosystem for innovation. From patent filings to incubation networks, and from Startup India to policy support, this entire journey has progressed forward in mission mode,' Modi said at the event.
He highlighted India's standing as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem and extended an open invitation to global innovators to collaborate with India on technological solutions to worldwide challenges. 'The number of startups in India will continue to grow as the country remains committed to reforms and innovation-driven development,' he added.
Macron's Tribute to Modi and India-France Ties
President Macron, sharing the stage with Modi, called the Prime Minister's presence at 'Bharat Innovates' a matter of great honour for France. He also congratulated Modi on completing 12 years as India's leader and praised his contribution to deepening bilateral ties between the two nations.
Before the inauguration, Modi held a private session with select investors and venture capital leaders from India, France, and several other countries — a signal of the economic dimension underpinning the diplomatic visit.
Bilateral Talks and Diplomatic Agenda
Later in the day, the two leaders were scheduled to hold formal bilateral talks in Nice, covering the full spectrum of the India-France strategic partnership. The agenda was expected to span defence cooperation, technology, trade, and multilateral coordination.
Modi arrived in Nice on Saturday, 13 June, welcomed at the airport by a high-level French delegation that included Philippe Baptiste, French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space; Patrick Amoussou-Adeble, Secretary General of the Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture; Thierry Mathou, France's Ambassador to India; and Eric Ciotti, Mayor of Nice. India's Ambassador to France, Sanjeev Singla, was also present at the welcome.
Context: A Deepening Strategic Partnership
This visit builds on years of intensifying India-France engagement across defence, space, and civil nuclear cooperation. The 'Bharat Innovates' event marks a newer strand of that partnership — one centred on startups, deep tech, and bilateral investment flows. Notably, France has consistently been among India's most reliable strategic partners in Europe, and Macron has made outreach to the Global South a signature of his foreign policy in recent years.
With bilateral talks still to conclude, the full outcomes of Modi's Nice visit are expected to be announced by Sunday evening IST.
Point of View
But the substance lies elsewhere: 'Bharat Innovates' is India's attempt to embed its startup narrative into high-level diplomacy, using bilateral visits to attract European capital and talent. What is notable is the investor roundtable held before the public event — a format Modi has used consistently to signal that foreign policy and investment promotion are now the same conversation. France, keen to position itself as India's preferred European gateway post-Brexit, has strong incentives to play along. The real measure of this visit will be in the investment commitments and defence or tech agreements that emerge from the bilateral talks — not the optics of a heritage walk.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi visit France in June 2025?
PM Modi visited Nice, France on 14 June 2025 at the personal invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The visit included the inauguration of 'Bharat Innovates', meetings with investors, a tour of Villa Kerylios, and formal bilateral talks covering the full India-France strategic partnership.
What is 'Bharat Innovates' and where was it held?
'Bharat Innovates' is an event showcasing India's startup and technology ecosystem, jointly inaugurated by PM Modi and President Macron in Nice, France on 14 June. Modi used the platform to highlight India's status as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem and invite global innovators to collaborate with India.
What did PM Modi say about India's startup ecosystem at the Nice event?
Modi said India has built a strong innovation ecosystem over the past 11–12 years, spanning patent filings, incubation networks, and policy support under Startup India. He described India as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem and stated that the number of startups would continue to grow as India remained committed to reforms.
What did Macron say about PM Modi at the 'Bharat Innovates' event?
Macron described Modi's presence at 'Bharat Innovates' as a matter of great honour for France. He also congratulated Modi on completing 12 years as India's leader and praised his role in strengthening India-France bilateral ties.
Who welcomed PM Modi on his arrival in Nice?
Modi was welcomed at Nice airport by French Minister Philippe Baptiste, Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture Secretary General Patrick Amoussou-Adeble, France's Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou, Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti, and India's Ambassador to France Sanjeev Singla.
