Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the VivaTech 2026 technology and startup conference in Paris, France, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, marking India's high-profile engagement with one of Europe's premier innovation forums.

Context

VivaTech is an annual technology and startup fair held in Paris that brings together global innovators, investors, and policymakers. Prime Minister Modi's appearance at the event signals India's continued push to position itself as a leading destination for technology investment and startup collaboration on the world stage.

The Prime Minister's participation comes against the backdrop of deepening India-France ties, a strategic partnership formalised in 1998 that spans defence, space, nuclear energy, and increasingly, digital technologies.

Policy Backdrop

India's engagement with international technology forums has been a deliberate pillar of economic diplomacy under Prime Minister Modi. The Digital India programme, launched in July 2015, laid the foundation for positioning India in global technology dialogues, while the Startup India initiative, launched in 2016, has worked to build a robust domestic entrepreneurship ecosystem.

During his April 2015 state visit to France, Prime Minister Modi had addressed business leaders on expanding India-France cooperation in information technology and innovation — a thread that his presence at VivaTech 2026 continues and advances. India has steadily increased its footprint at major international technology events to attract foreign investment and showcase its digital capabilities.

Stakeholders and Impact

Indian tech startups stand to benefit most directly from the Prime Minister's engagement at VivaTech, as the platform connects them with French and broader European investors and innovators. The visibility that a head-of-government address brings can open doors for Indian firms seeking partnerships, funding, and market access in Europe.

For France, India's growing digital economy represents a significant opportunity. With hundreds of millions of internet users and a thriving startup sector, India is an attractive partner for French technology companies looking to expand into emerging markets.

What's Next

Observers will watch closely for any bilateral announcements on digital cooperation or startup collaboration emerging from Prime Minister Modi's visit to Paris. Any India-France summit outcomes — particularly in the technology and innovation space — in the coming months will indicate how this engagement translates into concrete policy or investment commitments.

India's presence at VivaTech 2026 reinforces a broader pattern of using high-profile international platforms to advance the country's economic and innovation agenda, with Europe emerging as an increasingly important partner in that effort.