New Delhi, 13 June (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a six-day diplomatic visit to France and Slovakia from June 13 to 18, aimed at strengthening India's strategic partnerships in Europe, advancing cooperation in innovation and technology, and participating in the G7 Summit as a partner-country leader.

The visit, which will cover the French cities of Nice, Évian, and Paris, as well as Slovakia, is expected to reinforce India's growing engagement with Europe and highlight New Delhi's expanding role in addressing global economic, technological, and geopolitical challenges.

First Leg: France (Nice) – June 13-14

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Modi will begin his visit in Nice, where he will hold a bilateral summit with President Macron on June 14.

The two leaders are expected to undertake a comprehensive review of the India-France relationship, which was elevated earlier this year to the level of a Special Global Strategic Partnership. Discussions are expected to encompass defence cooperation, trade and investment, technology partnerships, climate initiatives, space collaboration, regional security, and key international developments.

A major highlight of the Nice visit will be the joint inauguration of the Bharat Innovates event by the two leaders. The event, being organized during the India-France Year of Innovation, will bring together leading startups, innovators, venture capital funds, and technology stakeholders from India, France, and several other countries.

The initiative is designed to showcase India's innovation ecosystem and strengthen collaboration between Indian and European technology and investment networks.

Second Leg: State Visit to Slovakia – June 14-16

From June 14 to 16, Prime Minister Modi will undertake a historic State Visit to Slovakia at the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Fico.

The visit will mark the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country's independence in 1993, underscoring the growing momentum in bilateral relations.

The visit follows the State Visit of Indian President Droupadi Murmu to Slovakia in April 2025 and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini’s visit to India for the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.

During his stay, Prime Minister Modi will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Fico and meet President Pellegrini. Discussions will focus on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, advanced manufacturing, automobile production, railway infrastructure, innovation, technology, and industrial partnerships.

The visit is expected to open new avenues of economic engagement and further consolidate India's strategic presence in Central Europe.

Third Leg: G7 Summit in Évian – June 16-17

Prime Minister Modi will return to France on June 16 to participate in the G7 Summit in Évian as an invited partner-country leader.

This will mark India's 13th participation in a G7 Summit and Prime Minister Modi's seventh consecutive attendance at the gathering of the world's leading advanced economies.

During the summit, the Prime Minister will engage with G7 leaders, invited partner countries, and representatives of major international organizations.

The summit agenda will include discussions on:

-Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity

-Reviving Balanced, Shared and Sustainable Economic Growth for All

-Ensuring a Safe, Rapid and Efficient Rollout of Artificial Intelligence

India is expected to contribute perspectives on inclusive development, digital transformation, sustainable growth, technology governance, and the priorities of the Global South.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders, further expanding India's diplomatic outreach.

Final Leg: Paris and VivaTech Summit – June 18

On June 18, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Paris for the final segment of his European tour.

In Paris, he will participate in the VivaTech Summit, widely regarded as Europe's largest technology and startup event. His participation is expected to highlight India's emergence as a global innovation hub and showcase the country's achievements in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and startup-led growth.

The Prime Minister will also hold additional bilateral engagements in the French capital and is expected to address members of the Indian diaspora, underscoring the importance of the Indian community in strengthening people-to-people ties between India and France.

Strategic Significance of the Visit

The multi-nation visit is expected to significantly deepen India's partnerships with France, Slovakia, and the broader European region. It will also reinforce India's growing role as a leading voice of the Global South and a key stakeholder in shaping responses to contemporary global challenges.

The Prime Minister's participation in both the Bharat Innovates initiative and the VivaTech Summit is expected to promote new collaborations between Indian, French, and European technology ecosystems, while advancing cooperation in innovation, artificial intelligence, venture capital, and emerging technologies.

The visit is also expected to reaffirm India's commitment to strengthening its broader strategic partnership with Europe and the European Union while expanding avenues for economic growth, technological cooperation, and geopolitical coordination.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar