Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a six-day official visit to France and Slovakia from Saturday.
In the first leg of the visit, the Prime Minister will visit Nice for a bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday. Both leaders will review the full spectrum of the India-France bilateral relationship, which was elevated to the level of a Special Global Strategic Partnership earlier this year. In Nice, both leaders will also jointly inaugurate the ‘Bharat Innovates’ event, which will bring together top innovation startups and Venture Capital funds from India, France, and other countries. Ministry of External Affairs said that, being held during the India-France Year of Innovation, this signature event reinforces the vibrant innovation partnership that exists between the two countries.
On the second leg of his visit, Mr Modi will pay a State Visit to the Slovak Republic from 14th to 16th of June. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since its independence in 1993. The visit follows President Droupadi Murmu’s State Visit to Slovakia in April last year and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini’s visit to India for the AI Impact Summit in February this year. Mr Modi will hold talks with his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico, and explore new avenues of cooperation. Prime Minister will also meet President Pellegrini.
On the third leg of the visit, the Prime Minister will participate in the G7 Summit in Evian, France, on 16th and 17th of June. During the Summit, he will exchange views with G7 leaders, and those from invited partner countries and International Organizations, participating in the summit.
On the final leg of the visit, Prime Minister will visit Paris on 18th June for further bilateral engagements and to attend the VivaTech Summit, Europe’s largest technology and startup event. Mr Modi is also expected to address the members of the Indian community in Paris.
Ministry of External Affairs said, Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Europe will further deepen India’s partnership with France, Slovakia, and the G7. It said, Prime Minister’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. Prime Minister’s participation in both Bharat Innovates and the VivaTech Summit will spotlight India as a global hub for innovation, digital transformation and entrepreneurship, and is expected to catalyse new partnerships between Indian, French and European technology ecosystems. The visit will also reaffirm India’s commitment towards advancing its broader strategic partnership with the European Union.
