Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins multi nation European diplomatic mission
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the French Riviera city of Nice to launch his European tour focused on deep-tech innovation, bilateral defense ties, and the strategic concerns of the Global South. This high-profile diplomatic itinerary includes targeted state discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, a historic trip to Bratislava, and participation in the 52nd G7 Summit hosted in Evian-les-Bains.
Bilateral talks between India and France will focus heavily on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and startup capital. Both leaders will jointly launch the "Bharat Innovates 2026" exhibition, showcasing over 120 Indian deep-tech enterprises. This collaborative push stems directly from the India-France Year of Innovation pact signed earlier this year, which elevated their bilateral tracking to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.
Following the French engagements, the Indian leader will depart for Slovakia. This marks the first official state visit by an Indian Prime Minister since the Central European nation achieved independence in 1993. Discussions with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico aim to secure advanced manufacturing collaborations, specifically focusing on the automotive and railway supply chains that form the backbone of Slovak industrial strength.
Slovakia has consistently backed the early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, a trade pact that experts estimate could expand India’s engineering exports by over 20 percent.
The final phase of the tour takes the delegation back to France for the annual G7 gathering. New Delhi is attending as a vital outreach partner to steer conversations on international economic recovery and responsible AI deployment. Side consultations are also expected with world leaders to discuss supply chain resilience.
Image Courtesy: ANI
