Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired the Industry Leaders Roundtable for **Bharat Innovates 2026**, bringing together global industry leaders and institutional partners to strengthen India's deep-tech and research-driven innovation ecosystem.
The roundtable focused on India's growing role as a global innovation partner, with emphasis on collaboration across frontier sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, climate-tech, mobility, health-tech, and advanced manufacturing.
Pradhan said India's innovation ecosystem is powered by extraordinary talent from IITs, IISc, other leading institutions, and emerging innovation hubs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. This talent base, he noted, is driving progress in areas that have both national relevance and global potential.
India's innovation ecosystem gains global recognition
The discussion comes at a time when India's innovation capabilities are receiving growing global recognition. Pradhan referred to French President Emmanuel Macron's observation that the question is no longer whether India innovates, but "who will innovate with India".
The statement reflects the changing global perception of India's innovation ecosystem, with France positioning itself as a leading partner in India's deep-tech and research-driven growth journey.
India-EU FTA strengthens strategic alignment
Pradhan also highlighted the broader economic and strategic context shaping India's global partnerships. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement, concluded in early 2026 and described as the "mother of all deals", marks a transformative economic partnership.
The agreement spans nearly 2 billion people and around a quarter of global GDP, signalling the scale and depth of the strategic alignment between India and Europe.
This partnership is expected to create a stronger foundation for collaboration across technology, research, industry, trade, and innovation.
Bharat Innovates 2026 to connect Indian startups with global partners
Against this backdrop, Bharat Innovates 2026 is emerging as a key international platform for India's innovation ecosystem.
The upcoming session in Nice, France, is expected to strengthen collaboration between Indian startups, global investors, industry leaders, and research ecosystems. The platform aims to help Indian innovators access international networks, partnerships, and opportunities for scaling research-driven solutions.
Aligned with Viksit Bharat vision
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India continues to strengthen its position as a trusted global partner in innovation and technology.
The larger vision is anchored in collaboration, openness, and shared progress. As India advances towards Viksit Bharat, initiatives such as Bharat Innovates 2026 underline the country's focus on co-creating solutions with the world for inclusive and globally shared progress.
By bringing together startups, research institutions, investors, and global industry leaders, Bharat Innovates 2026 seeks to position India not only as a fast-growing innovation economy but also as a long-term partner in solving global challenges through technology and research-led entrepreneurship.