Visit Overview
PM Narendra Modi's Europe visit (13-18 June 2026) comprised three legs: India-France (Special Global Strategic Partnership), India-Slovakia (Comprehensive Partnership), and India @ G7 (diplomatic engagement). The visit reinforced India's partnership with France and Slovakia, reflected India's standing as a leading Global South voice, and reaffirmed commitment to advancing the broader EU strategic partnership.
| Leg | Destination | Dates | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg 1 | France (Nice, Evian, Paris) | 13-18 June | Defence, nuclear, AI, innovation |
| Leg 2 | Slovakia (Bratislava) | 14-15 June | Comprehensive Partnership elevation |
| Leg 3 | G7 (Evian, France) | 15-17 June | 11 bilateral meetings |
Source: MEA, 2026
Leg 1: India-France — 13 Outcomes at Nice
At Villa Kerylos, Nice, PM Modi and President Macron achieved the most substantive bilateral session in recent years: 13 formal outcomes and 19 institution-level agreements.
| Cluster | Key Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Innovation & AI | Innovation Roadmap 2030; Joint AI Working Group; Bharat Innovates 2026 (120 startups, 350+ investors); India to host next Global AI Summit |
| Defence | Co-design, co-development, co-production mandate; Rafale-M, Kalvari submarines, next-gen fighter engine; General Security Agreement signed |
| Civil Nuclear | SMRs and AMRs under India's SHANTI Act (Dec 2025) |
| Space | Human spaceflight; TRISHA satellite co-launch |
| Economic & Trade | Economic Security Dialogue; SMEs Centre of Excellence in Kanpur aeronautics |
| Talent & Mobility | 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030; visa-free airport transit |
| Culture & Diplomacy | Marseille Consulate inaugurated; 10 Indian startups at Station F Paris |
France is India's 2nd largest arms supplier (29% share, 2021-25). The unresolved Rafale source code dispute (USD 39 billion) was on the table — resolution would transform the partnership from dependency to technological sovereignty.
Source: ANI News, 2026; DD News, 2026
Bharat Innovates 2026 & Technology Diplomacy
Jointly inaugurated at Palais des Expositions, Nice, Bharat Innovates 2026 was India's largest-ever tech showcase in Europe. At VivaTech 2026 Paris (10th edition), India led all nations in exhibition space, speaking slots and investor engagement.
PM Modi highlighted UPI (live at French airports and the Eiffel Tower), Aadhaar and 200,000+ Indian startups: "Our government will enable, industry will innovate, startups will disrupt, and global partners will scale with us."
India-France bilateral trade in FY 2025-26 reached USD 15.82 billion; France is India's 5th largest EU trade partner.
Source: PIB, 2026; The Tribune India, 2026
Leg 2: India-Slovakia — 14 Outcomes
PM Modi's 14-15 June visit to Bratislava was the first by a sitting Indian PM since Slovakia's 1993 independence, elevating ties to Comprehensive Partnership. PM received the Order of the White Double Cross (First Class) — Slovakia's highest civilian honour. This marked PM Modi's 100th overseas visit since 2014.
| # | Outcome | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joint Declaration | Comprehensive Partnership |
| 2 | Defence LoI | Industries, research, manufacturing |
| 3-7 | MoUs | SMEs, diplomatic training, AI/tech, higher education, culture |
| 8 | Skilled Labour Mobility | Legal movement of professionals |
| 9 | Counter-Terrorism JWG | Transnational security |
| 10-13 | Frameworks | Innovation, automotive, railways, energy |
| 14 | AI Chair at Košice | First Indian-backed AI chair in Slovakia |
Source: MEA, 2026
Leg 3: India at G7 2026
At Evian, France (15-17 June), India participated as one of the most consequential non-member participants under the theme "Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity." India conducted 11 bilateral meetings in a 48-hour window while simultaneously chairing expanded BRICS (10 members, ~40% global GDP).
| Country | Key Points |
|---|---|
| United States | COMPACT progress; interim BTA negotiations; seafarer protection |
| Canada | CEPA aim for 2026 conclusion; GSOIA; LNG/LPG trade |
| European Union | India-EU FTA concluded; 93% zero-duty EU access |
| Germany | USD ~30B trade; Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap; transit visa waiver |
| United Kingdom | Vision 2035; CETA early entry into force |
| UAE | 3rd meeting in 2026; Strait of Hormuz navigation |
| Japan | USD ~22B trade; semiconductor supply chains |
| South Korea | USD ~28B trade; Joint Strategic Vision 2026-2030 |
| Ukraine | Restore pre-war USD 3.4B trade |
| Egypt | USD 7B+ trade; Global South cooperation |
| Kenya | USD 2.5B trade; Global South aspirations |
PM Modi called for trust, transparency, a human-centric approach to AI, and partnerships beyond the donor-recipient paradigm.
Source: PIB, 2026; The Diplomat, 2026
WSC Strategic Analysis
India's G7 2026 outreach offers WSC opportunities in convening Global North-South dialogues, cross-border investment forums, innovation networks, energy security coordination and Global South outreach across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
"In a world defined less by fixed blocs than by interconnected coalitions, the strength of the India-G7 partnership will be measured by how successfully leading powers adapt to a more plural global order."
Source: The Diplomat, 2026
References
- Ministry of External Affairs (2026) - Visit to France and Slovakia; G7 engagements
- ANI News (2026) - India-France Innovation Roadmap 2030
- DD India (2026) - India-Slovakia 14 outcomes
- Press Information Bureau (2026) - VivaTech and G7 addresses
- Prime Minister of India (2026) - G7 bilateral readouts
- The Diplomat (2026) - Why the G7 keeps inviting India
- TechTimes (2026) - Rafale source code dispute
- The Tribune India (2026) - Modi-Macron at VivaTech 2026