French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on Sunday at the Palais des Expositions in Nice to open the 'Bharat Innovates' technology showcase, a three-day event designed to strengthen ties between India's innovation ecosystem and global partners.
The showcase, backed by India's Ministry of Education and held abroad for the first time, brings together 120 Indian deep-tech startups, 15 higher education institutions, and a range of investors. It aims to facilitate cross-border collaboration in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy.
Macron Champions France's AI Ambitions
Speaking at the opening, Macron described India as a 'major innovation nation' and said he wanted to 'convince' investors of 'what France is.' He pointed to a recent LinkedIn study, first reported by Les Échos at the VivaTech fair, which found that Paris has created nearly 20,000 AI-related jobs since 2023—more than Berlin, Madrid, Munich, or Dublin. This makes France the EU country with the highest number of new AI positions, according to the study.
Macron's remarks underscore France's push to position itself as a European hub for technology and investment, particularly in AI, where competition with the United States and China is intensifying. The event in Nice also reflects a broader strategy to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with India, a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
Modi's visit follows Macron's official trip to Mumbai in February, signaling a mutual interest in expanding cooperation beyond traditional areas like defense and space into technology and education. The Indian prime minister arrived in Nice on Saturday and was welcomed by local mayor Éric Ciotti, who noted on X that the presence of both leaders 'confirms the growing place of our city in international exchanges, innovation, and economic development.'
After the showcase, Macron and Modi are scheduled to hold bilateral talks at Villa Kérylos, an Ancient Greek revival mansion in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, near Nice. The Élysée Palace confirmed the meeting, which is expected to cover trade, climate, and regional security.
The event comes at a time when European countries are increasingly looking to diversify their technology partnerships. France, in particular, has been active in attracting foreign investment and talent, as seen in initiatives like the Station F startup campus in Paris and the country's broader push for digital sovereignty. The 'Bharat Innovates' showcase offers a platform for Indian startups to access European markets and for French investors to tap into India's growing tech sector.
For the wider European context, the collaboration highlights how individual member states can forge bilateral innovation ties that complement EU-level efforts. While the European Union has its own programs to boost tech cooperation with India, such as the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, events like this allow for more targeted engagement. Nice, with its Mediterranean location and growing tech scene, is positioning itself as a gateway for such exchanges.
The showcase also touches on broader trends in European innovation. As new high-speed rail links connect cities like Brussels, Strasbourg, and Basel, the continent's ability to host international tech events and facilitate knowledge transfer is improving. Meanwhile, France's focus on AI job creation aligns with its efforts to reform labor markets and invest in digital infrastructure, though challenges remain in areas like education and regulatory frameworks.
For India, the event is part of a larger push to showcase its 'deep-tech' capabilities—startups working on advanced technologies such as quantum computing, robotics, and clean energy. By engaging with European partners, India hopes to accelerate its own innovation ecosystem while contributing to global solutions in areas like climate change and health.
The bilateral talks at Villa Kérylos are likely to touch on these themes, as well as ongoing cooperation in defense and space. France and India have a long-standing strategic partnership, with joint military exercises and satellite launches. The meeting in Nice, however, signals a shift toward more civilian and commercial collaboration, reflecting the growing importance of technology in international relations.
