Nice: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France on Saturday for a five-day trip that will include bilateral talks with President Emmanuel Macron, participation in the G7 Summit and events aimed at deepening innovation ties between India and Europe.
Modi landed in Nice, the first stop on a tour that also covers Evian and Paris, and was welcomed at Nice Cote d’Azur Airport by a delegation that included France’s Education Minister Edouard Geffray, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste, French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou and Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti.
“Landed in Nice. In addition to Nice, this France visit includes programmes in Evian and Paris. There will be bilateral and multilateral engagements, which will be aimed at improving India’s friendships with key developmental partners,” Modi said in a social media post after his arrival.
In Nice, Modi is scheduled to meet President Macron on Sunday and together inaugurate “Bharat Innovates,” a showcase of startups and venture capital connecting India, France and other countries. The event is intended to spotlight India’s expanding innovation ecosystem and to foster collaboration between entrepreneurs and investors, PTI reported.
India and France are set to take stock of their enhanced ties after both capitals agreed earlier this year to elevate their partnership to a Special Global Strategic Partnership. New Delhi’s Ministry of External Affairs has signalled that innovation will be central to the visit, with both countries declaring 2026 the “Year of Innovation.”
“Innovation sector will be a key focus area as India and France together celebrate Year 2026 as the ‘Year of Innovation’. The ‘Bharat Innovates’ event @BharatInnov2026 will showcase India’s vibrant innovation ecosystem and offer a platform for startups and innovators to present their cutting-edge solutions and products,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a social media post.
Modi portrayed the trip as evidence of India’s growing global influence, saying ahead of departure that an invitation to the G7 reflected the trust international partners place in New Delhi and underlined the country’s rising global profile.
From France, the prime minister will proceed to Slovakia for a state visit on June 14-15. In Bratislava, he will hold talks with President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico and meet business leaders to pursue deeper economic engagement.
Modi To Attend G7 Summit
Modi will return to France for the Evian G7 Summit on June 16-17, where India — attending as an invited partner — will join discussions on international cooperation, economic growth and artificial intelligence. Modi is also slated to hold several bilateral meetings on the summit sidelines.
Modi To Meet Trump
White House officials have indicated Modi is expected to meet US President Donald Trump on June 17 during the Evian summit; Trump has confirmed his participation in the G7 hosted by President Macron. The projected meeting comes amid heightened tensions after three Indian mariners were killed in an incident off Oman involving the US Navy, and Indian authorities have not formally confirmed the encounter.
The visit will close in Paris on June 18, when Modi will attend VivaTech 2026 alongside President Macron, taking part in Europe’s largest tech and startup gathering.
