Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 14 June held interactions with select investors and venture capital leaders from India, France, and several other nations in Nice, ahead of the inauguration of the Bharat Innovates Summit — a flagship innovation-focused event being jointly launched by Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

What the Summit Is About

The Bharat Innovates Summit is designed to bring together leading startups, investors, entrepreneurs, and technology stakeholders to explore cross-border collaboration, investment opportunities, and innovation-driven partnerships between India, France, and the broader global ecosystem. The summit is expected to serve as a key platform for strengthening ties between the two countries' startup communities.

The pre-summit investor interaction reflects India's intent to position itself as a preferred destination for global venture capital, particularly in emerging technologies. This comes as India and France seek to deepen cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship under their Special Global Strategic Partnership.

Modi-Macron Bilateral Talks on the Agenda

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron are also expected to hold bilateral talks in Nice, where discussions will reportedly cover the full spectrum of India-France relations — including innovation, technology, trade, defence cooperation, and broader strategic issues. The bilateral meeting underscores the expanding scope of engagement between the two nations.

Modi's Six-Day France Visit

PM Modi's visit to France, which runs from 13 to 18 June, spans three key cities — Nice, Evian, and Paris. Shortly after landing in Nice, the Prime Minister shared his itinerary on social media platform X, stating: 'I have just landed in Nice. Beyond Nice, this visit to France includes programs in Evian and Paris.'

Modi also shared glimpses of his interaction with members of the Indian diaspora in Nice, writing on X: 'A memorable welcome from the Indian community of Nice. Although they are several kilometers from their country, the bond of our diaspora with India remains stronger than ever.'

Significance for India-France Tech Ties

The Bharat Innovates Summit marks a notable step in institutionalising innovation as a pillar of the India-France bilateral relationship, which has traditionally been anchored in defence and nuclear cooperation. By co-hosting a startup-focused summit, both governments are signalling a deliberate pivot toward technology and entrepreneurship as new drivers of the partnership. The outcomes of Modi's meetings with venture capital leaders in Nice are expected to inform investment commitments announced during the summit.