Nice, June 14 (IANS). Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘India Innovates 2026’ in Nice. French President Emmanuel Macron was also present on this occasion. PM Modi said in his address that 21st century India is going through a huge phase of change.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is the third largest startup ecosystem in the world. We have worked to take innovation to the grassroots level. He invited investors and entrepreneurs to come and work in India and develop technologies for the world.
Starting his address, he said, “I congratulate all the colleagues involved in Bharat Innovates and wish all the very best for this program. Different countries in the world do business with each other, there are also strategic partnerships between different countries, but there are some relations which proceed from shared interests as well as shared vision. The relationship between India and France is something like this.”
PM Modi said that there is contact and strong confidence in this regard. There are innovations and inspirations in this regard. There are shared values in this relationship, there is also a shared vision and on the foundation of this relationship, over the years we have started new initiatives together. It has given direction to new ideas and tried its best to find solutions to global challenges.
He said that whether it is the International Solar Alliance, dialogue related to AI, our partnership from security to sustainability or providing solutions to the challenges related to humanity, both our countries have moved together. The ‘India-France Year of Innovation’ has started in February this year itself. Today we are very happy that we are also starting Bharat Innovates with France.
To the French President, PM Modi said, “I express my deep gratitude to my friend, President Macron, for coming here on this occasion. President Macron, during your recent visit to India, you had said that India and France will have to come together to solve the challenges of this century. Today I can proudly say that this initiative is a step in that direction. This platform of Bharat Innovates is becoming a bridge between India’s talent and the European capital. A platform where the youth of India “The talent of the United States is getting the opportunity to connect with European expertise.”
He said, “Today 21st century India is going through a huge phase of change. Today a startup revolution is taking place in India. In this revolution, the youth of India are finding solutions to the problems in the interest of humanity with a new thinking and Bharat Innovates is the medium to bring the world class solutions of our youth to the global stage. My friend Harish Salve, Chairperson of the Board of IIT Delhi, made a big contribution in organizing this, and for this I thank him and I congratulate the entire team very much.
Prime Minister Modi said that today such a large number of young entrepreneurs are associated here. You get a glimpse of India’s future here. You see the confidence of the youth of India. You see the energy of the new India. An India which is emerging as a contributor and not a consumer of solutions. Here someone is working to change the lives of villages with AI, someone is using satellite technology to help farmers. Some youth are building the future with smart cities, advanced manufacturing and new materials. One is ensuring a sustainable future with green hydrogen, electric mobility and battery technology. And some startups are developing new technologies in the field of defense and security.
He said that looking at your capabilities I would say, ‘India innovates with scale and speed. India innovates for a sustainable future and India innovates for the whole world. Today many VCs and industry leaders have also become a part of this program. I would like to praise him, especially these young friends from India. All the friends who have come here, instead of following the old path, have left it and chosen the path to a new place. A new leak has been created. And here you all are seeing 100-125 startups, but India has a mega pool of more than 2 lakh such startups. And now all these startups are contributing to the growth of India and the world economy with a new energy.
Prime Minister Modi said that this is the decade of both chaos and development for the world. The world is going through a period of unprecedented turmoil, amid conflicts and the growing impact of climate change, but today humanity faces as many challenges as it does opportunities.
He said that Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Biotechnology, Space Technology and Advanced Materials are all technologies that will shape the future of humanity. This is the next chapter of human civilization. Every technological revolution gives a new opportunity to humanity. And every opportunity also brings a new responsibility. Today the world is looking towards technologies that are trustworthy, inclusive and human-centric, and aimed at the betterment of the world. At a time like this, India’s priority is technology for humanity, human-centric innovation. This mantra has been the center of our digital revolution. This has also been the essence of India’s digital public infrastructure. The core element of our AI approach is also – AI for all – Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaay. This was also the theme of the AI Impact Summit organized in Delhi.
PM Modi said that India has shown that innovation and inclusion are not opposed to each other, but complementary. This means that the greatness of any innovation does not lie only in its evaluation. Its greatness lies in its human impact. This is the spirit of India’s innovations. This is India’s perspective. This is an equally great inspiration for all you colleagues with the startup world present here.
He said that innovation is in India’s DNA. For thousands of years, India has given a new direction to the world with its knowledge and innovation. From mathematics to astronomy, from medicine to yoga, India’s contribution has been the basis of the progress of entire humanity. Today we have given new momentum and new direction to this legacy.
The Prime Minister said that in the last 11-12 years, India has created a strong ecosystem for innovation. From patent filing to incubation networks, from Startup India to policy support, this entire journey has proceeded in a mission mode. Today, India is the third largest startup ecosystem in the world, but our thinking is not limited to big cities only. We have worked to take innovation to the grassroots level. Atal Tinkering Labs have been set up in schools, youth are being engaged in hackathons and innovation challenges, incubators and research institutes are being expanded across the country, and we are connecting especially women innovators with a lot of new technologies.
PM Modi said that due to all this there has been a huge change in India. Today, from becoming drone didi to founder of startups, our women power is writing a new story of success. To further harness this energy of the youth, India’s defense sector has also been opened for innovation. Today, hundreds of start-ups related to defense and space are doing great work in India. Recently, India has also made important reforms in the nuclear energy sector. This is going to create new possibilities in the fields of clean energy, advanced reactors and frontier research.
He said that this express of reforms will not stop, it will continue to run continuously and the number of start-ups coming out of India will also keep increasing manifold. Till a decade ago, the world looked at India as a technology adopter. Today India is emerging as a technology provider. Whatever India innovates, whatever solution it provides, a large section of humanity benefits from it. This is also the aim of ‘Bharat Innovates’.
He said that I wish you all the best for your session and discussion in the next three days. We want partnership. We want co-development. We want joint research. We want shared manufacturing, and we want long-term cooperation. I very strongly invite every investor, every university, every research institute and every entrepreneur present here today. You come to India. Work together with us. Design in India. Develop in India and create solutions for the world.
–IANS
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