PM Modi’s France–Slovakia Visit to Strengthen India’s Global Outreach at G7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to France and Slovakia marks another important moment in India’s expanding global diplomacy. The visit will place India at the centre of discussions with major world leaders during the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian, while also opening a historic chapter in India’s engagement with Slovakia.

The G7 Summit under the French Presidency comes at a time when the world is dealing with economic uncertainty, technological disruption, supply-chain concerns, geopolitical conflicts and the growing need for trusted international partnerships. India’s presence as a partner country reflects the rising weight of New Delhi in global decision-making, especially on issues linked to development, technology, sustainability, peace and the priorities of the Global South.

At the summit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to engage with leaders from G7 countries, partner nations and international organisations. The outreach sessions will focus on renewing international partnerships, promoting development solidarity, supporting balanced growth and ensuring the effective rollout of artificial intelligence. These themes match India’s own diplomatic position, where technology, inclusive development and responsible global cooperation are increasingly presented as connected priorities.

India’s participation also carries strong symbolic value. This will be India’s 13th participation at the G7 Summit and Prime Minister Modi’s seventh consecutive participation. Such regular engagement shows that India is now viewed as a necessary voice in discussions that go beyond the formal G7 membership. For the Global South, India’s role becomes especially important because New Delhi often raises concerns related to development finance, food and energy security, climate action, digital access and fair growth.

The France leg of the visit will further strengthen the India–France strategic partnership. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold wide-ranging discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, covering bilateral cooperation and major regional and international issues. The joint inauguration of Bharat Innovates will add a strong technology and startup dimension to the visit, bringing together innovators, startups and venture capital networks from India, France and other countries.

The visit also includes important engagements in Paris, where Prime Minister Modi is expected to address the VivaTech Summit, one of Europe’s major technology and startup platforms. This gives India another opportunity to project its strengths in digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, startups, innovation and emerging technologies. It also supports India’s wider effort to position itself as a global innovation partner rather than only a large consumer market.

The Slovakia leg is equally significant. It is being described as a historic visit because it will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country’s independence in 1993. Prime Minister Modi is expected to meet Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini, apart from interacting with business leaders. These meetings can help deepen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, manufacturing and other important sectors.

The visit therefore combines three layers of diplomacy. At the G7, India will speak as a major global partner and voice of the Global South. In France, it will strengthen a strategic relationship built around defence, technology, innovation and global cooperation. In Slovakia, it will open a new high-level political and economic chapter with a Central European partner.

Prime Minister Modi’s France–Slovakia visit shows how India’s foreign policy is moving across multiple tracks at the same time. It seeks stronger ties with traditional strategic partners, deeper engagement with Europe, greater influence in global forums and a larger role in shaping the rules of the technology-driven future. At a moment when the world is searching for stable partners and balanced leadership, India’s presence at the G7 outreach table carries both diplomatic weight and strategic meaning.