Innovation and digital cooperation have emerged as major areas of collaboration between India and France, with both countries expanding partnerships in digital public infrastructure, startup ecosystems and technology development ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France.
The two countries are observing the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on February 17, 2026. The leaders also launched the Indo-French Innovation Network as a flagship initiative to strengthen collaboration among startups, research institutions, academic bodies and industry. The year-long programme includes activities focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital art, defence technology and sustainability.
Digital payments cooperation has been a prominent feature of the partnership. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Paris in July 2023, NPCI International Payments Limited and France’s Lyra Collect signed an agreement to introduce the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in France and Europe. UPI became operational at the Eiffel Tower in January 2024, marking the first merchant location in France to accept the payment system. It was subsequently introduced at Galeries Lafayette in July 2024 and at La Vallée Village Concierge in 2025. Efforts are now underway to expand UPI acceptance across airports, retail outlets, pharmacies, restaurants, museums and transport hubs frequented by Indian travellers.
India and France have also expanded cooperation on Digital Public Infrastructure through platforms such as InFraStructures and InFinity. Three editions of the InFraStructures workshop have been held in 2022, 2023 and 2025, while training sessions on DPI were organised for 45 French civil servants in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Startup collaboration has gained momentum through the Station F-HEC Paris International Launchpad programme. Since May 2025, ten Indian startups have participated in the four-month programme, with discussions underway to include two additional cohorts of ten startups each in 2026. Several Indian companies, including TCS and L&T Tech Service, have also established innovation centres in France to support joint technology development.
