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.

Muscat, June 14: The Indian Embassy in Oman said on Sunday that it has learnt of an incident involving the Indian Flagged Mechanised Sailing Vessel ‘Virat 1’ off the coast of Oman. The vessel is reported to have 14 Indian crew on board.

The Embassy stated that search and rescue efforts are being coordinated with the Omani authorities and vessels in the vicinity of the incident.

In a statement on X, the Indian Embassy in Oman stated, “The Mission has learnt of an incident involving an Indian Flagged Mechanised Sailing Vessel Virat 1, off the coast of Oman, reportedly embarked with 14 Indian crew. Search and Rescue is being coordinated with the Omani authorities and vessels in vicinity of the incident.”

Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks to lodge India’s strong protest against the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Oman, stressing that Washington’s actions are “unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce” in a sensitive region.

“A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have already resulted in the tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives,” the MEA said in a statement.

“The Ministry once again conveyed its deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping. Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time,” it added.

The MEA stated that the US Charge d’Affaires was requested to convey India’s strong concerns to US authorities and ensure that US forces operating in the region take all necessary measures to stop the loss of civilian life.

This marked the second time that the US official has been summoned by the MEA in recent days over the attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman. Earlier on Wednesday, India had summoned the US Charge d’Affaires to lodge a “strong protest” over recent attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman, including the commercial ship ‘Settebello’, where three Indian seafarers were killed.

On Thursday, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said that all 20 Indian crew members on board ‘MT Jalveer’ were rescued with the support of Omani authorities.

During the inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia on Thursday, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal said that all 20 Indian seafarers on board ‘MT Jalveer’ are safe after the vessel came under attack off the Shinas port in Oman.

On Wednesday, an attack was reported on a commercial vessel, ‘Settebello’, off the coast of Oman. Of the 24 Indian crew members onboard the vessel, 21 were rescued while three others were killed.

The first incident involved ‘MT Marivex’ on June 8, when a fire erupted aboard the vessel carrying 24 Indian seafarers south of the Strait of Hormuz.

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.