PM Modi to undertake visit to France, Slovakia; to attend G7 Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a week-long visit to France and Slovakia beginning June 13 to explore ways to expand bilateral ties and discuss pressing global challenges.

The prime minister will attend G7 Summit in Evian in France on June 16 and 17, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

In the first leg of his trip, Modi will visit French city of Nice from June 13 to 14.

He will also visit Evian and Paris from June 16 to 19, the MEA said.

The prime minister will be in Slovakia from June 14 to 16.

"In the first leg of the visit, the Prime Minister will visit Nice for a bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron on June 14.

Both leaders will review the full spectrum of the India-France bilateral relationship, which was elevated to the level of a Special Global Strategic Partnership earlier this year," the MEA said.

In Nice, both leaders will also jointly inaugurate the 'Bharat Innovates' event, which will bring together top innovation startups and Venture Capital funds from India, France, and other countries.

In the second leg of the trip, Modi will travel to Slovakia for a State visit after concluding his trip to Nice.

This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister to Slovakia since its Independence in 1993.

The visit will reaffirm India's commitment towards strengthening its bilateral relationship with Slovakia in various sectors, including trade, investment, and automobile and railway manufacturing, the MEA said.

In the third leg of the visit, the prime minister will participate in the G7 Summit in Evian on June 16-17.

"During the Summit, he will exchange views with G7 leaders, and those from invited partner countries and International organisations, participating in the summit sessions on Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity; Reviving Balanced, Shared and Sustainable Economic Growth for all; and Ensuring a Safe, Rapid and Efficient Rollout of AI," the MEA said.

On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders.

In the final leg of the visit, the prime minister will visit Paris on June 18 for further bilateral engagements, and to attend the VivaTech Summit, Europe's largest technology and startup event.

"The Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Europe will further deepen India's partnership with France, Slovakia, and the G7," the MEA said.

It said Modi's presence at the G7 will reflect India's standing as a leading voice of the Global South and a key partner in addressing global challenges.

"The Prime Minister's participation in both Bharat Innovates and the Vivatech Summit will spotlight India as a global hub for innovation, digital transformation and entrepreneurship, and is expected to catalyse new partnerships between Indian, Drench and European technology ecosystems," the MEA said.

The visit will also reaffirm India's commitment towards advancing its broader strategic partnership with the European Union, it said.