Defense and security cooperation, trade and technology, Global South concerns and addressing the ramifications of the West Asia conflict on energy security are set to top the agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nearly week-long visit to France and Slovakia to attend the G7 summit and hold bilateral consultations.
Modi, who began the visit on Saturday, said that France “occupies a special place in India’s strategic vision.” He added that his discussions with President Emmanuel Macron will focus on strengthening cooperation in key sectors, especially technology, while his participation in the G7 summit’s outreach sessions will be an opportunity to “give voice to the aspirations of the Global South.”
The visit to Slovakia, the first by an Indian prime minister since the central European country’s independence in 1993, will strengthen bilateral relations and build on the momentum of the free trade agreement finalized by India and the European Union, Modi said in his departure statement.
“I am confident that my visit to France and the Slovak Republic will strengthen India’s deep engagement with both Europe and the G7, and will demonstrate our firm commitment to expanding the horizon of our partnerships with the continent and beyond,” he said.
Modi will tour France and Slovakia from June 13-18, first traveling to the French port city of Nice, where he will hold bilateral talks with Macron on Sunday to review progress made since the two sides upgraded their ties to a special global strategic partnership in February, and to chart the next steps in bilateral cooperation.
The two leaders will inaugurate the Bharat Innovates project in Nice on the same day. The event, which is part of the Indo-France Year of Innovation, will connect Indian startups with global investments and will serve as an accelerator for innovations from India’s higher education system.
From Nice, Modi will travel to Slovakia from June 14-15 to give impetus to bilateral relations by holding talks with President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava. Modi will also interact with Slovak business leaders. “Building on the momentum of the India-EU FTA, the visit will revitalize our strategic partnership with the European Union, of which Slovakia is an important and valued member,” he said, referring to the trade agreement expected to be signed by the end of the year.
Modi will then return to France and travel to the Evian Resort to participate in the networking sessions of the G7 Summit during the period from June 16 to 17. India was invited to attend these sessions along with Brazil, Egypt, Kenya and South Korea by France, the host country of the summit.
“India’s presence in the G7 reflects the trust our partners place in us and our growing global standing,” Modi said. At the G7, India will not only speak for itself, but will also give voice to the aspirations of the Global South.
France listed its main priorities for the G7 summit, including reducing macroeconomic imbalances, renewing international partnerships, strengthening the resilience of important mineral value chains, protecting minors online, resolving major geopolitical crises, and combating organized crime and illicit flows.
The impact of the West Asian crisis on global trade, energy flows, technology and vital minerals is expected to be a major part of the discussions at the G7 summit and bilateral meetings that Modi will hold on the sidelines of the gathering in Evian. But there has been no official comment from the Indian and American sides regarding a possible meeting between Modi and President Donald Trump.
The Prime Minister will conclude his visit by traveling to Paris on June 18 to attend VivaTech 2026 with Macron. VivaTech is an important European gathering on technology and innovation, and India will have the largest pavilion at this year’s edition, which Modi said reflects the potential for partnership between Indian and European innovation systems.
“I am also looking forward to meeting members of the vibrant Indian community in Paris, who have served as a living bridge between our two countries,” he added.
