Narendra Modi will be on the continent from June 13 to 18, 2026, to make the most of some of Europe’s top political and tech forums. He’ll be in France for the G7 and then on to Slovakia for a first-of-its-kind State Visit. In the government’s view, it is all part of putting forward India as a principal voice for the Global South.
Why this tour matters
There is a method to New Delhi’s approach: mix in with the big powers while making inroads in key markets. The decision to do the G7 in Evian and then head to Bratislava is a way of saying we are here to set the tone on AI and growth, but also to build out supply chains in Central Europe.
The MEA puts it down to a matter of building up our ties with the G7, France and Slovakia. You see it in the agenda, where foreign policy is put in service of the kind of innovation and sustainable growth that is at the heart of India’s economy.
France: innovation-first diplomacy
Modi and President Macron will get down to business in Nice on June 14 to go over the Special Global Strategic Partnership they have between them. The message is one of trust you can put your finger on, supported by a solid line of tech projects.
They will also be on hand to open ‘Bharat Innovates’, an event meant to put Indian and French startups in the room with venture capital. Part of the India-France Year of Innovation, it is a way to put some speed behind co-investment.
Later, on the 18th, he will be in Paris for more one-on-ones and the VivaTech Summit, which is the place to be for tech in Europe. He has also put down time to speak with the Indian community in France.
Slovakia: breaking new ground
At the behest of PM Robert Fico, Modi will be in Slovakia for a State Visit from June 14 to 16. It is something of a milestone – no Indian prime minister has made the trip since 1993.
When he sits down with Fico and President Peter Pellegrini, the conversation will be about what can be done in trade and manufacturing. We are talking about cars and rail, so this is less about show and more about where to put your foot in the door.
It follows on from some recent contact, like when the Slovak president was in India for the AI Impact Summit in February. That kind of continuity is what you need to make sure you walk away with something on tech and production.
G7 calculus: rules, recovery and AI
Evian is next on the docket, June 16 and 17, for the G7. The government says the talk will be about the state of the global economy, standing with one another and how to handle AI in a responsible way.
He will also have some side meetings with other heads of state. It is a good time to put the case for India’s take on AI governance, especially after what has been put on the table in France and Slovakia.
Here is what the government is looking to put on the table at the G7:
– Global economic recovery
– International solidarity
– Responsible deployment of artificial intelligence
Competitive context and what to watch
What you see in France is a partnership that has come of age, one that is as much about VCs and startups as it is defence or space. ‘Bharat Innovates’ is the vehicle for turning that kind of intent into hard numbers.
Then there is the appeal of Central Europe: the logistics, the skilled work force and the right kind of policy. Do well in Bratislava and you could be in the market for automobiles and advanced manufacturing in no time.
If you are with us at Discover and want to see where this is going, here are the three things to keep an eye on:
– Any firm-up of India-France innovation from ‘Bharat Innovates’
– A new framework for investment or manufacturing with Slovakia
– How the G7 comes together on AI and growth
The road ahead
You have to pack a lot of high-level diplomacy and deal-making into six days. But if the plan works, this swing through Europe, with its G7 and historic stop in Slovakia, should put New Delhi’s mark on everything from the boardroom to the factory floor.
