PM Modi departs for France, Slovakia and G7 Summit on June 13
Synopsis
PM Modi's six-day European tour is more than a diplomatic courtesy call — it pairs a historic first visit to Slovakia since 1993 with high-stakes defence talks with Macron in Nice, a G7 appearance as the Global South's loudest voice, and a startup showcase at VivaTech. The itinerary signals India's deliberate pivot toward multi-vector European engagement.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi departed on 13 June for a multi-leg visit covering France and Slovakia , running through 19 June .
Bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice on 14 June will cover defence cooperation and the full India-France strategic partnership.
Modi's visit to Slovakia ( 14–16 June ) is the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia's independence in 1993 .
Modi will participate in the G7 Summit in Evian on 16–17 June as a partner-nation leader representing the Global South.
The Paris leg ( 18 June ) includes the VivaTech summit and an address to the Indian diaspora.
The two leaders will jointly inaugurate 'Bharat Innovates' , a flagship startup and VC event under the India-France Year of Innovation .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed on Saturday, 13 June for a multi-leg European visit spanning France and Slovakia, with defence cooperation, technology partnerships, and multilateral diplomacy topping the agenda. The tour, which runs through 19 June, marks India's most substantive European diplomatic engagement of the year.
France Visit: Bilateral Talks and Innovation Summit
At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Modi will undertake an official visit to Nice on 13–14 June, before returning to France for engagements in Evian and Paris from 16–19 June. Bilateral talks between Modi and Macron in Nice on 14 June are expected to cover the full spectrum of the India-France strategic partnership, with defence cooperation reportedly set to feature prominently as India seeks to bolster its military capabilities amid rising strategic competition in key maritime regions.
The two leaders will also jointly inaugurate 'Bharat Innovates', a flagship event bringing together leading startups and venture capital funds from India, France, and partner nations. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that the event is being held during the 'India-France Year of Innovation', reinforcing what it described as the 'vibrant innovation partnership' between the two countries.
Historic Slovakia Stop
From 14–16 June, Prime Minister Modi will pay a state visit to Slovakia at the invitation of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico — the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country gained independence in 1993. Modi will also call on Slovak President Peter Pellegrini during the visit.
The MEA stated that the visit will 'reaffirm India's commitment to strengthening its bilateral relationship with Slovakia across various sectors, including trade, investment, and automobile and railway manufacturing.' The historic nature of the visit underscores India's expanding diplomatic footprint in Central Europe, a region that has gained strategic relevance in the post-Ukraine conflict landscape.
G7 Summit in Evian
Prime Minister Modi will participate in the G7 Summit in Evian on 16–17 June, where he will exchange views with G7 leaders as well as heads of invited partner countries and international organisations. India's presence at the G7 as a partner nation reflects its growing role as a key interlocutor between the developed world and the Global South.
Notably, this participation comes at a time when global conversations around supply chain resilience, climate finance, and AI governance are intensifying — areas where India has staked out distinct positions.
Paris Finale: VivaTech and Diaspora Address
The final leg of the visit takes Modi to Paris on 18 June, where he will attend VivaTech, described as Europe's largest technology and startup event, and hold further bilateral engagements. He is also expected to address members of the Indian community in Paris.
The MEA stated that the visit will 'further deepen India's partnership with France, Slovakia, and the G7,' adding that Modi's presence at the G7 'reflects India's standing as a leading voice of the Global South and a key partner in addressing global challenges.' All eyes will now be on what concrete defence and technology deliverables emerge from the Nice bilateral.
Point of View
Automotive supply chains, and post-Ukraine security recalibration. The defence dimension in Nice matters too: India's naval and aerospace procurement pipeline with France is among its largest with any Western partner, and any movement on Rafale Marine or submarine deals would carry weight beyond the photo-op. Modi's G7 presence as a non-member is now almost routine, but the framing — 'voice of the Global South' — is doing real diplomatic work, positioning India as an indispensable bridge at a moment when the G7's own cohesion is under strain.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is PM Modi visiting on his Europe trip in June 2025?
PM Modi is visiting France and Slovakia between 13 and 19 June 2025. In France, he will travel to Nice, Evian, and Paris; in Slovakia, he will visit Bratislava for a state visit.
What will PM Modi discuss with French President Macron?
Modi and Macron will hold bilateral talks in Nice on 14 June, reviewing the full India-France strategic partnership with defence cooperation expected to feature prominently. They will also jointly inaugurate the 'Bharat Innovates' startup and venture capital event.
Why is the Slovakia visit historically significant?
PM Modi's visit to Slovakia is the first by an Indian Prime Minister since the country gained independence in 1993 — a gap of over three decades. The visit is expected to open new avenues in trade, investment, and automobile and railway manufacturing.
What is PM Modi's role at the G7 Summit in Evian?
India is participating as an invited partner nation, not a G7 member. Modi will exchange views with G7 leaders and representatives of international organisations, with India positioning itself as a key voice of the Global South on issues such as climate finance and supply chain resilience.
What is VivaTech and why is PM Modi attending?
VivaTech is Europe's largest technology and startup event, held in Paris. Modi's attendance on 18 June aligns with India's push to deepen its innovation partnership with France and showcase Indian startups to European investors and tech ecosystems.
