Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Bratislava from Nice on Sunday, 14 June, concluding the first leg of his European tour after wide-ranging bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron that culminated in the elevation of India-France relations to a Special Global Strategic Partnership. Modi is scheduled to undertake a State visit to Slovakia from 14 to 16 June at the invitation of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Key Outcomes from Nice

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Modi's visit to Nice produced several bilateral outcomes, with a strong focus on innovation and future technology. In a post on social media platform X, Modi described the first leg as 'a productive first leg indeed,' adding that the India-France partnership would 'keep scaling new heights.'

'Today's talks with my friend, President Macron, were exceptionally productive. Considering the longstanding friendship between our nations, we have decided to elevate our ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership,' Modi wrote on X.

What the Two Leaders Discussed

Modi and Macron held substantive discussions covering cooperation in defence, technology, space, security, counter-terrorism, and innovation. The two leaders also emphasised enhancing people-to-people ties, with Modi thanking Macron for the swift operationalisation of visa-free transit for Indian nationals at French airports.

Both sides discussed expanding the mobility of talent and students between the two countries and broadening mutual recognition of educational qualifications. Modi also extended an invitation to French universities to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy.

Geopolitics Over Lunch

Over a working lunch hosted by Macron in Modi's honour, the two leaders exchanged views on major global issues, including the situation in West Asia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Modi also expressed his anticipation of participating in the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian and thanked Macron for engaging India in substantive discussions ahead of the summit, according to the MEA.

Slovakia Visit Next

Modi's arrival in Bratislava marks the second leg of his European itinerary. The State visit to Slovakia, at the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Fico, is expected to cover bilateral cooperation between the two nations. This comes amid India's broader diplomatic outreach to Central and Eastern European partners, a region that has gained strategic salience for New Delhi in recent years.

With the G7 in Evian and further engagements in Paris still to follow, Modi's European tour is shaping up as one of the more substantive diplomatic sprints of his third term.