Indian Startups Capable of Tackling Global Challenges: PM Modi

Mumbai, February 2026 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that while the world is facing multiple challenges across sectors, Indian startups have the capability to overcome these global challenges. He highlighted that India has emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. The Prime Minister was speaking at the India–France Startup Forum held at the Crystal Hall of the Taj Mahal Hotel, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Prime Minister Modi said that India and France will come together again in France in June under the India Innovates 2026 programme, where India’s best startups working on solutions in areas such as climate change, security, and healthcare will be showcased to the world. He noted that the Atal Innovation Mission will complete a decade on February 24. Under this mission, more than one crore students are working with startups through over 10,000 tinkering laboratories, along with more than 100 incubators and several edtech startups associated with the initiative. He also invited entrepreneurs present at the event to actively participate in the Atal Innovation Mission.

Emphasizing that startups are the engine of India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation, Prime Minister Modi said the Union Budget has also focused on strengthening the startup ecosystem. To boost content creation, Content Creator Labs will be established in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges. Mission-mode work is underway in sectors such as AI, quantum technology, biotechnology, semiconductors, and clean energy. Startups are also being encouraged across textiles, chemicals, sports goods, electronics, and infrastructure sectors. He added that India is emerging as a global role model in women-led research and startups.

Speaking about India–France relations, Prime Minister Modi said the partnership goes beyond startups and is rooted in trust and shared values. From this perspective, he and President Macron have declared 2026 as the India–France Startup Year. He further noted that cooperation between the two countries in several strategic technology sectors has strengthened mutual trust, and bilateral ties have now been elevated to the level of a Special Global Strategic Partnership.

President Emmanuel Macron said that many CEOs of leading global companies are Indians, underlining that India is not just a participant but a leader in the global startup ecosystem. He stressed the importance of investing in education and training for startups and noted that the France–India Aeronautics Campus provides opportunities for developing specialized skills. He remarked that the question is no longer whether India innovates, but rather who innovates with India—and the answer, he said, is France.

President Macron expressed France’s desire to work with India for a brighter future and said India–France relations should remain enduring. He announced that, on Prime Minister Modi’s proposal, an Innovation Day will be organized on the eve of the G7 Summit, bringing together students and researchers under France–India joint initiatives. He reaffirmed France’s role as a strong and reliable partner in Make in India in the defence sector, enabling the development of next-generation engines, multi-role helicopters, advanced fighter aircraft, and submarines.

Calling the partnership more than a series of defence agreements, President Macron described it as a sovereign alliance between two great nations that choose each other on land, sea, and in the air based on trust. He also highlighted space cooperation, citing the Trishna satellite as a prime example of scientific excellence combined with industrial capability.

Startup entrepreneurs from both India and France were present at the event.

Team Maverick.