Key "tech"aways from Modi-Macron joint statement: T-Hub, Nord France Invest tie up, VivaTech India foray

India and France have made significant strides in deepening startup incubation ties amid the ongoing visit of French President Emmanuel Macron. A letter of intent (LoI) has been signed between T-Hub and Nord France Invest, and the French side has committed to bring VivaTech - Europe's largest tech fair - to India. 

A joint statement issued after the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Macron said, "Following the success of the ten Indian startups at Station F last year, the leaders welcomed ongoing discussions on further startup incubation and greater interactions of Indian and French startup ecosystems and the LoI signed between T-Hub and Nord France Invest for collaboration between the two startup ecosystems."

T-Hub is a premier innovation hub and ecosystem enabler based out of Hyderabad. 

"In this context, the French side also expressed its commitment to bring VivaTech, Europe’s largest tech fair, to India, in partnership with the Bangalore Tech Summit," the statement added.  

India, France forge ties on digital sciences

Taking forward the existing strong scientific partnership on multiple projects, the two leaders also welcomed the announcement on the opening of a binational centre on digital sciences and technology in India between lnstitut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) towards which both sides have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent, it said.

"They called for early finalization of the joint call for projects in the field of AI and applied mathematics," the statement said. 

"Recalling the rich history of India-France cooperation in science and technology, the leaders emphasized the need to further deepen the cooperation in this field, especially in the context of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026," the statement said. 

Modi, Macron welcome cooperation on critical, emerging tech

"They welcomed the progress in existing bilateral cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, including on space, civil nuclear energy, cyber and AI, and encouraged to go further in technology cooperation," it said. 

"They welcomed the launch of the India-France Innovation Network to bring together the innovation ecosystems of France and India through a digital network, by connecting key stakeholders including innovators, start-ups, businesses and incubators of both countries," it added.