NEW DELHI: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Tuesday highlighted the growing strength of the India-France innovation partnership while addressing the closing ceremony of Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France.
The minister expressed optimism about the outcomes achieved during the three-day event, stating that the collaboration reflected the significant potential of innovation-driven cooperation between the two countries.
In a post on X, he said the shared vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron under the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 had helped create a platform aimed at fostering deeper engagement in innovation and technology.
Goyal invited business leaders, chief executives, investors, and innovators to collaborate with India in building a sustainable future powered by innovation at scale.
During his visit to Nice, the minister also launched the Unified Payments Interface at Galeries Lafayette Nice Massena, one of France’s prominent retail destinations.
The launch marked another step in the international expansion of India’s digital payments ecosystem. The initiative has been implemented with the participation of Lyra Collect and NPCI International Payments Limited, enabling wider access to India’s digital payment technology in France.
According to Goyal, the rollout demonstrates India’s capability to provide trusted, seamless and interoperable digital solutions at scale while strengthening economic and technological cooperation between India and France.
The developments come amid growing collaboration between the two countries in areas such as innovation, technology, and digital infrastructure, with Bharat Innovates 2026 serving as a platform for engagement among startups, investors, businesses, and policymakers.
