NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the French city of Nice on Saturday, beginning a busy Europe tour that includes visits to France and Slovakia, followed by participation in the G7 Summit. The trip will focus on key diplomatic meetings, technology partnerships, trade discussions and strengthening India’s ties with Europe and the Global South.Meanwhile, PM Modi is also likely to meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of G7 Summit.
Macron meeting and innovation push in France
The first stop is France, where PM Modi will hold a key bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday. The bilateral talks are expected to cover the full spectrum of India-France relations, which were elevated to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during Macron’s visit to India earlier this year.Beyond diplomacy, the two leaders will jointly inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026, a flagship event under the India-France Year of Innovation. The three-day conclave will bring together leading startups, venture capital funds and innovation leaders from India, France and other countries, with a focus on emerging technologies and cross-border collaboration.
Slovakia visit
From France, PM Modi will travel to Slovakia for a state visit on June 14-15, marking the first visit by a Prime Minister since the Slovakia’s independence in 1993.In Bratislava, he will hold talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and meet President Peter Pellegrini. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, automobile manufacturing and railway infrastructure, while also advancing India’s broader engagement with the European Union.The visit comes shortly after President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit to Slovakia in April 2025 and President Pellegrini’s participation in the AI Impact Summit in India earlier this year.
G7 Summit and expected Trump meeting
PM Modi will return to France on June 16 to attend the G7 Summit in Evian, where he is expected to engage with leaders of G7 nations, partner countries and international organisations.One of the most closely watched engagements on the sidelines is an expected meeting with US President Trump on June 17, with trade issues likely to feature prominently in the discussions. The prime minister is also scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with other world leaders during the summit.In his departure statement, PM Modi highlighted India’s growing global role, saying the country would not only present its own views at the G7 but also articulate the concerns and aspirations of the Global South.“This is the 8th consecutive G7 Summit to which India has been invited,” he noted, describing the invitation as a reflection of increasing global trust in India.
Final stop: Paris and VivaTech
The final leg of the tour will take PM Modi to Paris on June 18. There, he is expected to participate in the VivaTech Summit, Europe’s largest technology and startup event, alongside President Macron.The prime minister will also hold additional bilateral engagements and interact with members of the Indian diaspora, bringing to a close a visit that blends strategic diplomacy, innovation partnerships and global outreach across Europe.