Key facts
- India and France will deepen defense cooperation, focusing on undersea capabilities.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France and Slovakia for bilateral and multilateral engagements.
- Modi will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss strategic partnerships and innovation.
- India will participate in the G7 Summit and VivaTech 2026 during its visit to France.
- The visit aims to strengthen economic and cultural ties between India and France.
India and France are set to deepen their defense cooperation, with a specific emphasis on enhancing undersea capabilities amidst growing maritime contestation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his upcoming visit to France and Slovakia, which will include significant engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron.
During his visit to France, Modi's agenda includes strengthening economic and cultural ties, beginning with participation in the ‘Bharat Innovates’ program in Nice alongside President Macron. The leaders are expected to review the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership. This visit coincides with the 'India-France Year of Innovation'.
Modi is also slated to attend the G7 Summit in Evian, where he plans to discuss global issues and advocate for the interests of developing nations, emphasizing India's role in representing the Global South. Following the summit, he will attend VivaTech 2026 in Paris with Macron, a major European technology and innovation gathering. The prime minister also intends to interact with the Indian community in France.