Nice/New Delhi, June 14: India has transformed from being a consumer of global solutions to a contributor of solutions for the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

Speaking after inaugurating the ‘Bharat Innovates 2026’ event in Nice, France, PM Modi said India’s innovation ecosystem is rapidly expanding and increasingly playing a role in addressing global challenges through technology and entrepreneurship.

“India now acts as a solution contributor rather than a solution consumer,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister further stated that India is innovating at both speed and scale, with a focus on creating sustainable solutions that benefit not only its own citizens but also the global community.

“Bharat innovates with speed and scale. Bharat innovates for a sustainable future. Bharat innovates for the whole world,” PM Modi said while addressing the innovation-focused event, jointly inaugurated with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Emphasising India’s approach towards technological development, the Prime Minister said the country’s priority is “technology for humanity” and human-centric innovation.

He added that innovation is deeply embedded in India’s culture and way of thinking. “Innovation is in India’s DNA,” Prime Minister Modi explained.

The Prime Minister also praised the growing partnership between India and France, describing it as a relationship rooted in shared values, mutual trust and common interests.

He noted that cooperation between the two countries spans a wide range of sectors, from security and strategic affairs to sustainability and innovation.

“India-France partnership covers security to sustainability,” PM Modi said.

Macron, who shared the stage with PM Modi at the event, described the Prime Minister’s presence at ‘Bharat Innovates’ as a matter of great honour for France.

He also congratulated PM Modi on completing 12 years as India’s leader and praised his role in strengthening ties between the two countries.

The ‘Bharat Innovates’ event has brought together leading startups, venture capital funds, innovators and technology leaders from India, France and several other countries.

Nice/New Delhi, June 14: Ahead of the inauguration of the Bharat Innovates Summit in Nice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with select investors and venture capital leaders from India, France and several other countries.

The innovation-focused summit is set to be jointly launched by Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The event will bring together leading startups, investors, entrepreneurs and technology stakeholders to explore opportunities for collaboration, investment and innovation-driven partnerships between India, France and the wider global ecosystem.

The interaction with investors comes as India and France seek to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship under their Special Global Strategic Partnership.

The Bharat Innovates Summit is expected to serve as a key platform for fostering cross-border investment and strengthening ties between startup ecosystems in the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron are also expected to hold bilateral talks in Nice, where they will review the entire spectrum of India-France relations.

Discussions are likely to focus on innovation, technology, trade, defence cooperation and broader strategic issues, reflecting the expanding scope of engagement between the two nations.

PM Modi’s visit to France, which runs from June 13 to June 18, will cover three key cities — Nice, Evian and Paris.

Meanwhile, shortly after arriving in France, PM Modi shared glimpses of his interaction with members of the Indian community in Nice.

“A memorable welcome from the Indian community of Nice. Although they are several kilometers from their country, the bond of our diaspora with India remains stronger than ever,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on social media platform X.

Prior to that, upon arriving in Nice, the Prime Minister had shared details of his France visit in a post on X, saying that his engagements would span Nice, Evian and Paris.

“I have just landed in Nice. Beyond Nice, this visit to France includes programs in Evian and Paris,” PM Modi stated.

Manila, June 14: At least 61 people were killed, 40 missing and 1,403 injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mindanao, the Philippines, on June 8, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Sunday.

The NDRRMC earlier said the quake has affected more than 75,300 households, or over 346,000 people, and more than 45,000 affected residents have been displaced, with over 12,600 houses sustaining damage. The quake also triggered 45 related incidents, mainly landslides, reports Xinhua news agency.

The council added that the earthquake affected the operation of 45 road sections, eight bridge sections, one airport, and two seaports, as well as the agriculture, husbandry and fishery industries. Power services were affected across 48 cities and municipalities.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the tectonic earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of 33 km, with the epicentre 32 km southwest of the coast of Maasim town in Sarangani province on Mindanao Island.

Earlier, Junie Castillo, spokesperson for the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defence, said 10 victims were reported in South Cotabato’s General Santos, a port city with a population of over 700,000, and at least 12 people remain missing so far.

The deaths were caused by falling debris, building collapse and landslides. The Philippine National Police earlier said that no fewer than 134 people were injured.

A two-story school building in General Santos collapsed with students trapped inside, and authorities said they are verifying details of the incident. Online videos show university and restaurant buildings collapsed in disaster-hit areas.

Some commercial facilities sustained structural damage, with signs falling and window panes shattered. Local residents rushed outdoors to seek safety.

The powerful earthquake hit shortly after schools across the Philippines started reopening following the summer break. Surveillance footage from several schools captured violent shaking during the quake. Teachers and students either evacuated urgently or took shelter under desks.

The number of schools affected by the earthquake has risen to 8,642 across 43 divisions in six regions, local media reported, citing figures from the Department of Education.