NICE(FRANCE)/NEW DELHI, 14 June (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the French city of Nice on Saturday on an official visit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The visit is being viewed as a significant step toward deepening strategic, economic, technological and innovation-driven cooperation between India and France.

Soon after his arrival, Prime Minister Modi stated on social media platform X that his visit would extend beyond Nice and include engagements in Evian and Paris. He said the trip would feature both bilateral and multilateral meetings aimed at further strengthening India's friendship and cooperation with its key development partners.

The Prime Minister also received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora. Large numbers of overseas Indians gathered outside the airport and his hotel to greet him. Expressing his gratitude, Modi said that despite living thousands of kilometres away from their homeland, members of the Indian community continue to maintain a deep emotional bond with India.

On June 14, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Macron. The two leaders will review various aspects of the India-France strategic partnership and explore new avenues for cooperation across multiple sectors.

During the visit, the two leaders will jointly inaugurate the “Bharat Innovates” programme, which will bring together leading startups and venture capital institutions from India, France and several other countries. The initiative is being organised as part of the India-France Year of Innovation and is expected to provide fresh momentum to technological collaboration and innovation-led partnerships between the two nations.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the programme will serve as an important platform for connecting the emerging technology and entrepreneurial ecosystems of India and France while encouraging greater cooperation in research, innovation and investment.

As part of his France visit, Prime Minister Modi will also participate in the G7 Summit scheduled to be held in Evian on June 16 and 17. India's participation is being seen as an opportunity to represent the interests and priorities of the Global South while contributing to discussions on major international challenges.

The visit will conclude with Prime Minister Modi's participation in VivaTech, Europe's largest technology and startup event, in Paris on June 18. He will attend the event alongside President Macron. India is set to have the largest national pavilion at this year's conference, showcasing the country's growing influence in global innovation, digital transformation and the startup ecosystem.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar