Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a multi-leg European tour in Nice, France, on Saturday to strengthen strategic and technological ties [1].
This diplomatic mission underscores India's effort to deepen its security partnerships and promote innovation across Europe while engaging with the world's leading economies at the G7 summit.
The itinerary includes a visit to France from June 13-14, 2026 [3]. Following this initial leg, Modi is scheduled to return to France from June 16-19, 2026, with visits planned for Evian and Paris [3]. During these visits, the Prime Minister will meet with President Emmanuel Macron to discuss defense and strategic cooperation [1, 4].
As part of the tour, Modi will inaugurate the ‘Bharat Innovates’ event [1]. This initiative aims to foster innovation partnerships and advance technological cooperation between India and its European counterparts [4].
Following the engagements in France, the Prime Minister will travel to Slovakia [2]. This visit is historically significant as Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Slovakia since 1993 [1].
The tour will also include attendance at the G7 summit in France [2]. The Prime Minister is expected to participate in high-level discussions regarding global cooperation, economic growth, and the regulation and development of artificial intelligence [1, 4].
These visits represent a coordinated effort to align Indian interests with European security and economic frameworks, particularly in the realms of high-tech industry and military hardware.
“Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Slovakia since 1993”
By combining bilateral visits to France and Slovakia with the G7 summit, India is positioning itself as a critical bridge between the Global South and the G7 economies. The focus on 'Bharat Innovates' and AI suggests a strategic shift toward securing a leadership role in the next generation of global technology standards and defense supply chains.
