French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday lauded India’s growing role in global technological advancement, describing the country as a leading force in innovation and reaffirming France’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with India in areas such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, scientific research and emerging technologies.
Addressing the Bharat Innovates 2026 conclave in Nice alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Macron said India’s innovation ecosystem, research capabilities and vast pool of engineering talent have positioned it at the forefront of global technological progress.
“A country with 1.4 billion inhabitants, a country which relies on know-how, research, knowledge and training, and produces as many engineers as Europe and the United States combined, more than one million every year. In every respect, a country with research, innovations and frontier models is spearheading global innovation,” Macron said.
Highlighting the growing strategic importance of India in the global innovation landscape, the French President remarked that the debate is no longer about whether India innovates but about who will partner with India in shaping the future.
“The question is no longer whether India innovates. The question is who will innovate with India,” he said.
Macron noted that France was honoured to host the first edition of Bharat Innovates outside India and described the event as an important platform for connecting Indian startups, innovators and researchers with French partners, investors and institutions.
Welcoming Prime Minister Modi, Macron also congratulated him on becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister.
“A few days ago, you became the Prime Minister with the longest serving time since the independence of India. This long tenure reflects your determined action, the strengths of your country and your leadership. We are very proud to have you here,” he said.
The French President underlined the importance of India-France cooperation in artificial intelligence and said both countries support an open, collaborative and inclusive approach to technological development.
“India and France believe in a true partnership, in multilingualism, in cooperative AI and in an open model for the greater good,” Macron said, cautioning against growing tendencies in some parts of the world to restrict access to advanced AI technologies.
Macron also highlighted cooperation between the two countries in climate action and energy security. Referring to initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and collaboration in the nuclear energy sector, he called for deeper engagement in areas including decarbonised energy, scientific research and climate resilience.
“In terms of climate and energy, France and India innovate together to guarantee power self-reliance and to fulfil climate commitments,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi and President Macron jointly inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026, a three-day innovation conclave being held from June 14 to 16 in Nice.
The event has brought together leading startups, venture capital funds, investors, policymakers, industry leaders and academic institutions from India, France and several other countries.
More than 120 Indian deep-tech startups and over 15 higher education institutions, including premier IITs and research organisations, are participating in the conclave, which focuses on sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced computing, biotechnology, healthcare, defence innovation, space technology and climate solutions.
-ANI
