‘Opening a new chapter for talent and investment’: Macron on PM Modi’s seventh visit to France
By R Anil Kumar
NICE, France, June 14, 2026. French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, June 14, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seventh visit to France reflected the growing strength of the India-France partnership and marked the beginning of a new chapter focused on talent, investment and practical solutions.
“Delighted to welcome my dear friend Narendra Modi. From Nice today to G7 Evian and VivaTech in Paris, this seventh visit reflects the exceptional strength of the France-India partnership. We are opening a new chapter for talent, investment and concrete solutions for our people,” Macron said in a post on X.
The remarks came as PM Modi and Macron jointly participated in Bharat Innovates 2026, a flagship event in Nice aimed at strengthening cooperation in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.
PM Modi highlights India’s investment potential after interactions with global investors at Bharat Innovates 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described his interactions with global investors and venture capital leaders at Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice as “enriching and insightful”, highlighting India’s growing appeal as a global hub for innovation, technology and investment.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said discussions focused on the vast opportunities India offers across sectors such as technology, manufacturing, innovation and other emerging industries. He noted that India’s growth story is being driven by talent, scale, policy stability and reforms, making the country an attractive destination for global investors.
“The conversations at Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice were enriching and insightful. Engaged with investors and venture capital leaders on the immense opportunities India offers across innovation, technology, manufacturing and emerging sectors. India’s growth is powered by talent, scale, stability and reform, making it an attractive destination for investment and innovation,” PM Modi said.
The remarks came after the Prime Minister participated in Bharat Innovates 2026, a flagship innovation event jointly inaugurated by him and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des Expositions in Nice.
The event brought together startups, venture capital firms, investors, industry leaders and research institutions from India, France and several other countries to explore partnerships in critical and emerging technologies.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Prime Minister Modi also held interactions with select investors and venture capitalists on the sidelines of the event, showcasing India’s expanding innovation ecosystem, investment opportunities and reform-driven growth agenda.
“Powering the future through innovation and enterprise. PM Narendra Modi interacted with select investors and Venture Capitalists at Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France. PM highlighted India’s innovation sector, growth opportunities and reforms undertaken in recent years,” the MEA said in a post on X.
Bharat Innovates 2026 is aimed at strengthening international collaboration in deep-tech and emerging technologies while positioning India as a leading destination for innovation-led growth and investment.
India, France launch ATL Bridge to connect school innovation labs, boost youth innovation
India and France on Sunday launched the India-France ATL Bridge, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening bilateral innovation cooperation by connecting young innovators through school-level innovation labs inspired by India’s Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) model.
The initiative was formalised through a Letter of Intent (LoI) exchanged between Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and La Fondation Dassault Systèmes on the sidelines of Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France. The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron as part of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026.
Under the initiative, the first School Innovation Lab in France will be established based on India’s Atal Tinkering Lab framework, creating a structured platform for students in both countries to collaborate on innovation and entrepreneurship projects. The LoI was exchanged between AIM Mission Director Deepak Bagla and La Fondation Dassault Systèmes Managing Director Marie-Pierre Aulas.
The India-France ATL Bridge will facilitate cross-border innovation programmes, entrepreneurial exchanges, capacity-building initiatives and joint projects, enabling students to co-create solutions to real-world challenges while strengthening ties between the innovation ecosystems of the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Deepak Bagla said the initiative reflected the growing global confidence in India’s innovation journey and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and international cooperation. He described the establishment of a School Innovation Lab in France as the sharing of a vision that every young person should have the opportunity to innovate, create and lead regardless of geography.
Marie-Pierre Aulas said education remains the most powerful tool for building a sustainable future and praised the Atal Tinkering Labs model for nurturing creativity, experimentation and entrepreneurial skills among young learners. She said the partnership marked an important step in strengthening innovation-led cooperation between India and France.
Launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2016, the Atal Innovation Mission aims to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across India. Since its inception, more than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been established across the country, benefiting over 11 million students through hands-on exposure to robotics, electronics, artificial intelligence, 3D design and other emerging technologies.
According to the government, India-France ATL Bridge reflects the shared vision of both countries to empower the next generation of innovators and deepen collaboration in education, technology and entrepreneurship.
