Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday, 17 June 2026 inaugurated the India Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 in Paris, declaring that India is asserting its position as a global innovation powerhouse through its thriving startup ecosystem, expanding digital economy, deep-tech capabilities, and artificial intelligence-driven growth. The pavilion marks one of India's most prominent technology showcases on European soil this year.

What India Is Showcasing

Goyal described the India Pavilion as a reflection of the country's technological ambitions on the world stage. 'India at VivaTech 2026 is showcasing the strength of its vibrant startup ecosystem, rapidly expanding digital economy, deep-tech advancements, and leadership in AI-driven transformation,' he said at the event.

He added that the pavilion 'stands as a testament to Bharat's growing stature as a global innovation hub,' drawing interest from startup founders, investors, policymakers, and technology leaders from across the world.

From Bharat Innovates to Paris

The Minister noted that India's participation at VivaTech follows the successful conclusion of Bharat Innovates 2026, positioning Paris as the next stage in India's global innovation outreach. 'Following the successful culmination of Bharat Innovates 2026, India's innovation momentum now reached Paris, carrying with it the aspirations, creativity and technological excellence of a New India,' Goyal said.

During his visit, Goyal toured exhibits and engaged with entrepreneurs and technology leaders, describing the experience as offering 'valuable insights into the depth and diversity of global technological ambition.'

India-France Innovation Partnership

Goyal underscored the bilateral dimension of India's VivaTech presence, highlighting the role of the India-France partnership in deepening innovation ties. 'The strong and trusted India-France partnership adds further depth to this journey. Bringing together startup founders, policymakers, investors and innovators from both nations, this engagement reflects our shared commitment to innovation and sustainable growth,' he said.

He added that such cross-border partnerships would be instrumental in driving innovation-led economic growth and strengthening bilateral trade and technology ties between the two countries. Notably, this comes amid broader Indian government efforts to position the country as a preferred destination for global technology investment.

India's Rising Global Tech Profile

India's presence at one of Europe's largest technology events signals a deliberate push to shift global perception — from a back-office outsourcing hub to a front-end innovation leader. The country's deep-tech and AI sectors have seen accelerated investment over the past two years, with several Indian startups achieving unicorn status and expanding into European markets.

As VivaTech 2026 continues through the week in Paris, India's pavilion is expected to host further engagements with European investors and technology partners, with an eye on attracting capital and collaboration into the country's fast-growing digital economy.