Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an official tour to France and Slovakia from June 13 to 18, 2026. The trip features bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, a historic first-ever prime ministerial visit to Slovakia to boost automotive and trade ties, and participation as an invited partner at the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains.
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a high-stakes, multi-city European tour to France and Slovakia from June 13 to 18, the central government announced on Tuesday. The comprehensive diplomatic mission aims to cement deep-tech investment channels, mark a historic milestone in Central European bilateral relations, and position India as a leading voice of the Global South during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit sessions.
Historic Bilateral Missions and High-Tech Showcases in France
The official itinerary, released on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), maps out a targeted, four-stage tour across three distinct French hubs and the Slovak capital. Prime Minister Modi will begin the first leg of his journey in Nice from June 13 to 14, entering high-level bilateral consultations with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The two leaders are slated to review the newly elevated India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership. While in Nice, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will jointly launch "Bharat Innovates," a flagship technology convention uniting more than 100 Indian deep-tech startups with European venture capital funds during the ongoing India-France Year of Innovation.
The Prime Minister's itinerary concludes on June 18 in Paris, where he will join the VivaTech Summit—Europe's premier technology and startup forum—and address members of the resident Indian diaspora.
Landmark State Visit to the Slovak Republic
On the second leg of the European tour, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Bratislava for a historic State Visit to the Slovak Republic from June 14 to 16. Executed at the invitation of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the trip marks the first-ever official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the central European nation achieved independence in 1993.
The diplomatic outreach follows high-level exchanges, including Slovak President Peter Pellegrini’s participation at the AI Impact Summit in India in February 2026. Delegation-level dialogues in Bratislava will prioritize expanding mutual industrial ecosystems.
India-Slovakia bilateral trade currently surpasses €1.3 billion, heavily anchored by significant domestic corporate footprints. Notably, the Tata Group operates two major automotive and components manufacturing hubs within Slovakia, making defense production, railway engineering, and automotive components vital points for expanded commercial treaties.
Amplifying Global South Priorities at the G7 Summit
From June 16 to 17, Prime Minister Modi will pivot to the third leg of his tour, traveling to Évian-les-Bains, France, to participate in the annual G7 Summit. Although India is not a formal member of the G7 bloc, President Macron extended a partner-country invitation to New Delhi to integrate major developing economies into global policy frameworks.
The summit brings together leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, and the European Union. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address dedicated multi-lateral sessions focused on:
Forging new partnerships and rebuilding international solidarity.
Reviving balanced, shared, and sustainable global economic growth.
Ensuring a safe, secure, and trustworthy deployment framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI).
International observers are closely watching potential pull-aside meetings on the sidelines of the summit, particularly a anticipated face-to-face meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump. Ties between New Delhi and Washington have experienced some tariff friction since early 2025, meaning brief bilateral talks could provide a helpful venue to align trade expectations.
Official Sources Section
The detailed deployment parameters, session structures, and official itineraries for the upcoming tour were formally announced through coordinated international press statements managed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and corroborated by the diplomatic event logs of the French Foreign Ministry.
Quote Section
"According to officials at the Ministry of External Affairs, the Prime Minister's upcoming presence at the G7 Summit reflects India's growing role as a crucial partner in resolving macroeconomic imbalances and advancing cross-border technology transfers."
Why It Matters
For Indian technology businesses and startup founders, the concurrent platforms of "Bharat Innovates" and the VivaTech Summit unlock direct access to European venture capital pipelines and digital infrastructure partnerships. For the automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors, the pioneering state visit to Slovakia opens a highly stable gateway into Central European manufacturing networks. On a broader geopolitical scale, India's visible presence at the G7 Summit ensures that the developmental priorities of the Global South remain central during key international decision-making processes.
Key Facts at a Glance
Tour Timeline: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will complete a highly structured European tour spanning June 13 to 18, 2026.
Historical Milestone: The stop in Bratislava represents the first-ever state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since its independence in 1993.
Economic Baseline: The tour builds on established economic foundations, including an active €1.3 billion trade relationship with Slovakia and major automotive assets held by the Tata Group.
Global Summitry: India will participate as an invited outreach partner at the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, focusing on sustainable economic recovery and international AI safety standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the primary objective of PM Modi's trip to France?
The visit serves a dual purpose: expanding the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership through high-tech startup corridors like "Bharat Innovates" and attending the annual G7 Summit as an invited outreach nation.
Why is the state visit to Slovakia considered historic?
While diplomatic ties were established decades ago, this trip marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister will officially visit Slovakia since it became an independent nation in 1993, opening new bilateral opportunities in railway and automotive manufacturing.
What key global issues will India address at the G7 Summit?
India will participate in multilateral sessions dedicated to rebuilding international solidarity, resolving global macroeconomic imbalances, accelerating sustainable growth, and standardizing global governance for artificial intelligence.
Is an official bilateral meeting scheduled between PM Modi and US President Trump?
While a formal, structured bilateral meeting has not been explicitly confirmed by diplomatic desks, a pull-aside meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains remains highly anticipated by international analysts.
Source: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Government of India Press Release Portal, Embassy of India in Bratislava Diplomatic Briefings, and official G7 Summit organizational communiqués issued by the French Foreign Ministry.
