New Delhi, June 10 (UDN): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a week-long visit to France and Slovakia beginning June 13, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, expanding economic and technological cooperation, and addressing key global challenges at the G7 Summit.
The visit will commence in the French city of Nice, where Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on June 14. The two leaders are expected to review the full spectrum of India-France relations, which were elevated to a Special Global Strategic Partnership earlier this year. Discussions are likely to focus on defence cooperation, trade, investment, technology, clean energy, innovation, and strategic collaboration.
During their meeting in Nice, the two leaders will jointly inaugurate the ‘Bharat Innovates’ event, a major platform bringing together leading startups, innovators, entrepreneurs, and venture capital funds from India, France, and other countries. The initiative is expected to foster cross-border innovation partnerships and strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies.
Following his engagements in France, Prime Minister Modi will undertake a State Visit to Slovakia from June 14 to 16. The visit assumes special significance as it will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country’s independence in 1993. The two sides are expected to explore new opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, automobile manufacturing, railway technology, and industrial development.
In the third leg of the tour, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the G7 Summit in Evian, France, on June 16 and 17. During the summit, he will join discussions with leaders of the world’s major economies and partner nations on issues including global economic recovery, international cooperation, sustainable development, and the responsible deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Prime Minister is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. Media reports suggest a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump, although an official confirmation is yet to be announced. If it takes place, it would mark the first interaction between the two leaders since their meeting in Washington, D.C., in February 2025.
In the final phase of his visit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Paris on June 18 to attend VivaTech, Europe’s largest technology and startup summit. His participation is expected to showcase India’s growing stature as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit will further deepen India’s strategic partnerships with France and Slovakia while reinforcing the country’s role as a leading voice of the Global South. The tour is also expected to strengthen collaboration in innovation, investment, technology, and education, while advancing India’s vision of becoming a global knowledge and innovation powerhouse.