Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 18 June concluded a wide-ranging visit to France, declaring that the bilateral friendship between the two nations would deepen further in the years ahead. Modi's itinerary spanned three cities — Nice, Evian, and Paris — covering technology diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and diaspora outreach.

A Visit Packed with Engagements

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi described the trip as 'extensive when it comes to engagement and outcomes.' The visit began in Nice, where the Bharat Innovates programme was held, followed by a stop in Evian for the G7 summit, before culminating in Paris. There, Modi addressed VivaTech 2026 — one of Europe's largest technology and innovation conferences — and participated in a large community gathering, besides holding meetings with global CEOs.

'I am especially grateful to my friend President Macron, the Government and the people of France for the warmth. The India-France friendship will become even stronger in the times to come,' Modi wrote.

Macron's Hindi Farewell

French President Emmanuel Macron marked the occasion with an unusually personal gesture — recording a farewell video message partly in Hindi for the visiting Indian leader. 'Dear friend Narendra, I am very happy that you are in Nice, Evian, or Paris. I am very happy to welcome you here. The friendship between India and France is immortal,' Macron said in Hindi before switching to English.

In English, Macron expressed personal warmth: 'My dear Narendra, dear Prime Minister, I wanted to thank you so much for your friendship... France loves you... I will come to visit you next February, but you are my true friend... We love you. Take care,' the French President concluded. The video, combining both languages, was widely seen as a signal of the depth of personal rapport between the two leaders.

Indian Diaspora Turns Out in Force

Members of the Indian diaspora in Paris turned out in large numbers to greet the Prime Minister, with many describing the occasion as a 'proud and memorable moment.' Several community members said Modi's presence made them feel connected to their homeland despite living thousands of miles away. The community event added a people-to-people dimension to what was otherwise a high-stakes diplomatic and technology-focused trip.

India-France Ties: The Bigger Picture

India and France share a Strategic Partnership dating back to 1998, covering defence, space, nuclear energy, and trade. Modi's participation in VivaTech 2026 underscores a growing emphasis on technology as a new pillar of that relationship, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, green energy, and digital infrastructure. This comes amid India's broader push to deepen ties with European partners as global supply chains and geopolitical alignments continue to shift. President Macron's confirmed plan to visit India in February suggests the bilateral agenda is set to move from declarations to deliverables.