Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed on a two-nation diplomatic tour to France and Slovakia, with defence cooperation, innovation partnerships, and economic engagement expected to dominate the agenda. The visit comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen its strategic and military capabilities amid rising geopolitical competition in key maritime regions. In France, PM Modi will undertake an official visit to Nice on June 13–14 at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders are scheduled to hold wide-ranging bilateral talks on June 14, during which they will review the full spectrum of India–France relations, with a strong focus on defence collaboration.
Both sides are expected to explore ways to deepen their strategic partnership, particularly in light of evolving global security challenges. A key highlight of the France visit will be the joint inauguration of the “India Innovates” programme by PM Modi and President Macron. The initiative will bring together leading startups and venture capital firms from India, France, and other participating countries. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the programme is part of the broader India–France Innovation Year and aims to further strengthen the growing ecosystem of technological and entrepreneurial cooperation between the two nations.
Following his France engagements, PM Modi will travel to Slovakia for a state visit from June 14 to 16, at the invitation of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. This visit is historically significant, as it will be the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country’s independence in 1993. During his stay in Slovakia, PM Modi is expected to hold detailed discussions with Prime Minister Fico on expanding cooperation in emerging areas of mutual interest. He will also meet Slovak President Peter Pellegrini.
The talks are likely to focus on strengthening economic ties and identifying new avenues for collaboration in sectors such as trade, investment, automobile manufacturing, and railway infrastructure. The MEA has emphasized that the visit reflects India’s commitment to deepening its bilateral relations with Slovakia and expanding partnerships across key industrial and strategic sectors. The tour underscores India’s broader diplomatic push to enhance engagement with European partners across defence, innovation, and economic development frameworks.
