Rijiju shares PM Modi's address at 'Bharat Innovates' in Nice
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the inauguration of 'Bharat Innovates' in Nice, France, on June 14, 2026. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju shared the live broadcast, spotlighting India's effort to promote its innovation and startup ecosystem before a global audience in one of Europe's prominent coastal cities.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju shared a live broadcast of PM Narendra Modi speaking at the 'Bharat Innovates' inauguration in Nice, France on June 14, 2026 .
The event showcases India's innovation and startup ecosystem to an international audience on European soil.
India and France have maintained a strategic partnership since 1998 , covering defence, space, civil nuclear energy, and trade.
PM Modi previously visited France in 2023 as chief guest at the Bastille Day parade, reflecting strong bilateral ties.
Potential follow-up outcomes include MoUs on technology and innovation as well as broader India-France summit discussions.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday, June 14, 2026, shared a live broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the inauguration of the 'Bharat Innovates' event in Nice, France, drawing attention to India's push to showcase its innovation ecosystem on a global stage.
Context
Prime Minister Modi addressed the gathering at 'Bharat Innovates' in the French city of Nice, a prominent venue on the Mediterranean coast. Minister Rijiju amplified the moment on social media with a #WatchLive call, directing followers to the official broadcast of the Prime Minister's inaugural address.
The event positions India as a hub of technology and entrepreneurship, bringing together Indian innovators and global stakeholders under a single platform on European soil.
Policy Backdrop
India and France share a strategic partnership that was formally elevated in 1998 and has since deepened through annual summits and agreements spanning defence, space, civil nuclear energy, and trade. Prime Minister Modi visited France in 2023, when he was the chief guest at the Bastille Day parade in Paris, underscoring the warmth and depth of bilateral ties.
High-level Indian visits to European capitals have increasingly been used to promote India's startup and innovation ecosystem alongside traditional pillars of cooperation. France remains a priority partner for technology collaboration and investment under India's broader engagement with the European Union and Indo-Pacific nations.
Stakeholders and Impact
The 'Bharat Innovates' platform is aimed at Indian tech entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators seeking international exposure and partnerships. For France, the event reinforces its status as a welcoming destination for Indian enterprise and intellectual capital.
Bilateral engagements of this nature typically open channels for investment, joint research, and market access that benefit both economies. Indian startups and deep-tech firms stand to gain visibility among European investors and policymakers present at such forums.
What's Next
Observers will watch for joint statements or memoranda of understanding on innovation and technology that may emerge from the broader visit. Any scheduled India-France bilateral summit or sideline meetings during the trip could further cement cooperation in emerging sectors.
The 'Bharat Innovates' event in Nice may also set the tone for India's participation in upcoming European innovation forums, reinforcing New Delhi's ambition to be counted among the world's leading knowledge economies.
Point of View
Moving beyond the traditional defence-and-nuclear axis that has long defined India-France ties. By choosing a European stage for an event centred on Indian entrepreneurship, the government signals that it views the startup ecosystem as a foreign-policy asset, not merely a domestic priority. Minister Rijiju's amplification of the live broadcast reflects the ruling party's well-established practice of using social media to maximise the diplomatic optics of PM Modi's foreign engagements. The broader arc points to India seeking to position itself as an innovation peer to leading economies, leveraging relationships with strategic partners like France to attract capital and technology.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Bharat Innovates' event in Nice?
'Bharat Innovates' is an event inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nice, France, aimed at showcasing India's innovation, technology, and startup ecosystem to an international audience.
Why did PM Modi go to Nice, France in June 2026?
PM Modi travelled to Nice, France, to participate in the 'Bharat Innovates' event, part of India's broader diplomatic and innovation outreach to European partners.
What is the India-France strategic partnership?
India and France elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership in 1998, covering cooperation in defence, space, civil nuclear energy, trade, and technology.
Who is Kiren Rijiju and why did he share this post?
Kiren Rijiju is India's Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs and a senior BJP leader from Arunachal Pradesh. He shared the live broadcast to highlight PM Modi's address at the 'Bharat Innovates' inauguration in France.
What could come out of PM Modi's France visit in 2026?
Possible outcomes include memoranda of understanding on innovation and technology, joint statements on bilateral cooperation, and potential discussions at an India-France summit level meeting.
