Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the potential of Indian startups to tackle global challenges at the India-France Startup Forum. He announced the upcoming ‘Bharat Innovates 2026’ initiative in collaboration with France to showcase innovative solutions in various sectors like climate change and healthcare. PM Modi also commended the Atal Innovation Mission for its decade-long efforts in fostering entrepreneurship among students through tinkering labs and incubators.
India’s focus on nurturing startups was further underscored in this year’s budget, with initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem across multiple industries. PM Modi noted India’s progress in promoting women-led research and startups, highlighting the growing global recognition in this area. The partnership between India and France was lauded as a symbol of trust and shared values, with plans to enhance cooperation in strategic technology domains.
President Emmanuel Macron praised India’s leadership in the global startup movement and emphasized the importance of education and training for startup growth. The France-India Aeronautics Campus was highlighted as a platform for developing specialized skills, reflecting the commitment to innovation collaboration between the two nations. President Macron expressed optimism for the enduring strength of India-France relations, particularly in defense cooperation and joint initiatives in various sectors.
