PM Modi arrives in Nice, kicks off France visit with key engagements in Evian and Paris
Nice, June 14
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Nice, marking the start of his visit to France that will also include engagements in Evian and Paris, aimed at deepening India's bilateral and multilateral partnerships.
During the visit, he is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron and participate in the "Bharat Innovates" programme.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Landed in Nice. In addition to Nice, this France visit includes programmes in Evian and Paris. There will be bilateral and multilateral engagements, which will be aimed at improving India's friendships with key developmental partners."
"I look forward to meeting President Macron tomorrow and to being at 'Bharat Innovates,'" the post read.
Further, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Prime Minister Modi's visit to Nice will further strengthen India-France cooperation across key sectors, with a special focus on innovation.
The MEA said India and France will jointly celebrate 2026 as the "Year of Innovation," adding that the "Bharat Innovates" event will showcase India's startup ecosystem and provide a platform for innovators to present cutting-edge solutions and products.
"Bonjour France! PM @narendramodi has arrived in Nice, France. The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen India-France cooperation across key sectors. Innovation sector will be a key focus area as India and France together celebrate Year 2026 as the 'Year of Innovation'," the MEA shared.
"The 'Bharat Innovates' event @BharatInnov2026 will showcase India's vibrant innovation ecosystem and offer a platform for startups and innovators to present their cutting-edge solutions and products," the post read.
At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi will undertake engagements in Nice from June 13-14, followed by visits to Evian and Paris from June 16-18.
In Nice on June 14, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with President Macron. The two leaders will also jointly inaugurate the 'Bharat Innovates' event, which will bring together leading innovation startups and venture capital funds from India, France, and other countries.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Nice to see India focusing on innovation and partnerships. As someone who works in tech, I think this is a smart move—France has a strong startup ecosystem. Hope this leads to more knowledge exchange and joint ventures! 🇮🇳🇫🇷
While it's good to see diplomatic visits, I hope this isn't just a photo op. The real test will be whether these MOUs actually trickle down to benefit small businesses and innovators back home. Let's see concrete outcomes, not just announcements. 🤔
So proud to see Indian innovation being showcased globally! 🇮🇳 The Year of Innovation 2026 sounds exciting. But can we also focus on improving the domestic ecosystem—less red tape for startups and more funding for R&D? That would make these visits truly meaningful.
Interesting to see the "Bharat Innovates" event. France and India have a long history of cooperation. Hope this visit goes beyond symbolism and results in tangible tech partnerships—especially in clean energy and space tech. Fingers crossed! 🤞
Good to see the PM engaging with global leaders. But let's not lose sight of domestic issues—farmers' protests, unemployment, inflation. International diplomacy is important, but so is fixing things at home. Hope the government balances both. 🌾💼
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