PM Modi and French President Macron Inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026, Strengthening Indo-French Deep Tech Alliance

📌 Summary:

• PM Modi and French President Macron jointly inaugurated the maiden edition of "Bharat Innovates 2026" at Palais des Expositions de Nice, France — an initiative of the Union Ministry of Education
• First-ever Bharat Innovates event held outside India; aims to showcase Indian DeepTech and connect innovators with global investors, industry and institutions
• Innovation Pavilion displayed 120 cutting-edge technologies across AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing, mobility and space
• 3-day programme (14–16 June 2026): 11 high-level panels, sector masterclasses, B2B matchmaking and investor pitch sessions involving 50+ startups
• Attended by Ministers Piyush Goyal and S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval and PSA Ajay Kumar Sood; deepens Indo-French cooperation in science, technology, innovation, education and entrepreneurship

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 S&T (emerging technologies, innovation ecosystem) and GS2 IR — India-France strategic partnership in deep tech.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Bharat Innovates 2026 is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Education
• Held at Nice, France (14–16 June 2026) — first edition outside India
• Sectors showcased: AI, semiconductors, biotech, space, defence, climate tech

🔑 Key Term: DeepTech — startups and innovations built on substantive scientific or engineering advances (AI, semiconductors, quantum, biotech) rather than incremental software.