India 'no longer just consumer but contributor of solutions': PM Modi at Bharat Innovates in France

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India has transformed from being a consumer of global solutions into a “contributor to solutions in the world”, as he and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the ‘Bharat Innovates’ event in Nice.

Calling India–France ties “special”, Modi said the relationship is built not only on shared interests but also on a shared vision for addressing global challenges. “This relationship carries both connection and conviction. It reflects innovation and inspiration, shared values and a common vision,” he said, adding that the partnership has recently expanded through joint initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and problem-solving at a global scale.

Modi said that the India–France Year of Innovation, launched earlier this year, had laid the foundation for deeper collaboration, with Bharat Innovates now acting as a bridge between Indian talent and European capital. “This Innovates platform is becoming a bridge between India’s talent and European capital, offering young minds from India an opportunity to connect with European expertise,” he said.

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Acknowledging French President Emmanuel Macron’s role in strengthening bilateral cooperation, Modi said his earlier visit to India had reinforced the idea that the two countries must work together to address 21st-century challenges. He added that the new initiative was a step in that direction, bringing together startups, investors and researchers.

Highlighting India’s domestic transformation, the Prime Minister said the country is witnessing a “startup revolution”, driven by young innovators working to solve problems for the benefit of humanity. He pointed out that India now has more than two lakh startups, describing them as a key force behind both national growth and global economic contribution.

“The very purpose of Bharat Innovates is to take the efforts of our youth to a global stage,” Modi said, adding that many young entrepreneurs are already working on solutions ranging from rural transformation to advanced technologies.

He further said that India’s innovation ecosystem is increasingly focused on sustainability and global impact. “India is innovating for a sustainable future and for the world,” he said, noting that the current decade is defined by both disruption and development amid global uncertainty.

Listing emerging technologies shaping the future, Modi pointed to artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, space technologies and advanced materials as key drivers of change. He said these fields are especially important at a time when the world faces “unprecedented turbulence” due to geopolitical conflicts and climate change.

Despite these challenges, Modi said such conditions also create opportunities for innovation-led growth. He added that India’s young innovators are developing solutions with the potential to benefit all of humanity, reinforcing India’s role as a global contributor in the innovation economy.