Key Highlights
- Prime Minister Modi will travel to France and Slovakia from 13‑18 June 2026, joining the G7 summit in Évian and the VivaTech exhibition in Paris.
- The itinerary comprises bilateral talks with President Emmanuel Macron, a historic state visit to Slovakia, and the inauguration of the "Bharat Innovates" startup showcase.
- Discussions will span defence, clean energy, artificial intelligence, space cooperation, trade, and broader global governance issues.
- India aims to deepen strategic links with Europe, promote joint innovation, and attract investment in emerging technologies.
Detailed Insights
During the first leg of the mission, Modi will land in Nice, where he and President Macron will review the recently‑announced Special Global Strategic Partnership between the two nations. The agenda is expected to cover defence procurement, joint AI research, renewable‑energy projects, and coordination on space‑exploration initiatives.
Both leaders will also unveil "Bharat Innovates", a platform that congregates Indian, French and international startups, venture‑capitalists and technology firms. The event seeks to catalyse cross‑border collaborations in artificial intelligence, deep‑tech, green technologies, fintech, and health‑tech.
From 14‑16 June, Modi will make the first ever Indian prime‑ministerial visit to the Slovak Republic since its 1993 independence. The state visit will include meetings with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini, focusing on expanding trade, digital infrastructure, and defence cooperation.
On 16‑17 June, Modi will attend the G7 summit in Évian‑les‑Bains, engaging with leaders of the world’s largest advanced economies on topics such as economic growth, climate resilience, AI governance, energy security, supply‑chain robustness, and sustainable development.
The tour culminates on 18 June at VivaTech in Paris, Europe’s premier technology and startup exhibition. India will showcase its digital public infrastructure, AI breakthroughs, fintech innovations, and entrepreneurial ecosystem, positioning itself as a key partner in the global tech arena.
Key Concepts
- Special Global Strategic Partnership: A high‑level bilateral framework between India and France that expands cooperation across defence, technology, and diplomatic domains.
- Bharat Innovates: An India‑France‑led showcase intended to foster startup collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange in emerging sectors.
- G7 Summit: An annual gathering of leaders from the world’s seven most industrialised economies, plus invited partners, to coordinate policy on global challenges.
- VivaTech: The largest European technology expo, serving as a convergence point for innovators, investors, and policymakers.
- State Visit: A formal diplomatic mission by a head of government that includes ceremonial, political, and economic engagements.