Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nice, France, on Saturday, 13 June for an official State visit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The trip spans three French cities — Nice, Evian, and Paris — and encompasses bilateral summits, a G7 appearance, and two major innovation events.

Modi's Arrival and Agenda

'I have just landed in Nice. Beyond Nice, this visit to France includes programmes in Evian and Paris. It will be marked by bilateral and multilateral meetings, aimed at strengthening India's bonds of friendship with its key development partners,' Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X. He added that he looks forward to meeting President Macron on 14 June and attending the 'Bharat Innovates' event.

The bilateral summit in Nice will be the first since the two countries elevated their relationship to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership'. The two leaders are expected to review the full spectrum of ties, with emphasis on innovation, science and technology, economy, and cultural and people-to-people links.

Bharat Innovates: A Joint Innovation Showcase

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Modi and Macron will jointly inaugurate 'Bharat Innovates', a signature event bringing together leading startups and venture capital funds from India, France, and several other countries. The event is being held during the 'India-France Year of Innovation', and the MEA noted it 'reinforces the vibrant innovation partnership that exists between the two countries.'

G7 Summit in Evian

At President Macron's invitation, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the G7 Summit in Evian, France, on 16–17 June. The MEA stated that India's presence at the G7 'reflects its standing as a leading voice of the Global South and a key partner in addressing shared global challenges.' India is not a G7 member but has been invited as an outreach partner — a distinction that underscores New Delhi's growing diplomatic weight.

VivaTech Summit in Paris

On 18 June, Modi will travel to Paris to attend the VivaTech Summit alongside President Macron. Billed as Europe's largest technology and startup event, VivaTech will this year feature an Indian pavilion described by the MEA as the largest pavilion at the summit. The MEA noted that Modi's participation in both Bharat Innovates and VivaTech 'will spotlight India as a global hub for innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship, and is expected to catalyse new partnerships between Indian and European technology ecosystems.'

Strategic Significance

This visit continues the high-level momentum in India-France ties, which have deepened steadily over defence, space, nuclear energy, and now technology. The elevation to a Special Global Strategic Partnership marks a qualitative upgrade in the bilateral framework, and the innovation-heavy itinerary signals a deliberate pivot toward future-facing sectors. With India holding a record-sized pavilion at VivaTech and co-hosting Bharat Innovates, New Delhi is clearly positioning itself as a preferred European technology partner ahead of a competitive global investment landscape.