Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France on Saturday for a six-day visit that focuses on deepening ties between the two nations, just months after their bilateral relationship was elevated to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership".&nbsp;The Indian PM begins his visit from Nice (13-14 June), before heading to Evian for the G7 Summit and concluding in Paris. It marks his seventh official trip to France since 2014 and follows French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India in February 2026, during which the two countries upgraded their long-standing ties.&nbsp;In Nice, Mr Modi and French President Macron will jointly inaugurate the Bharat Innovates event, part of the India-France Year of Innovation. The gathering is expected to draw over 120 Indian startups alongside French and international business leaders, aiming to strengthen collaboration in technology and entrepreneurship. The leaders will also hold their first bilateral summit since the partnership upgrade.&nbsp;On 16-17 June, the Indian PM will attend the G7 Summit in Evian at President Macron's invitation. India's participation highlights its role as a prominent Global South voice on issues ranging from climate change to global governance. The number of bilateral meetings are expected, including with US President Donald Trump. Both leaders will meet on Wednesday, the first time since February 2025, in Washington DC.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaishankar-tells-rubio-us-strikes-that-killed-3-indian-mariners-were-not-justified-1781364177633">Jaishankar tells Rubio US strikes that killed 3 Indian mariners were ‘not justified’</a>&nbsp;The visit culminates in Paris on 18 June with the Prime Minister's attendance at VivaTech, Europe's largest tech and startup summit. India will host its largest-ever pavilion there, positioning the country as a hub for AI, digital innovation and deep-tech. Officials hope the events will catalyse new partnerships between Indian and European tech ecosystems.&nbsp;India and France have enjoyed close relations since 1947, formalising a Strategic Partnership in 1998, India's first with a Western nation. The 2023 Horizon 2047 Roadmap outlines ambitious cooperation in defence, space, civil nuclear energy, climate, and people-to-people ties. Defence ties include Rafale jets, Scorpene submarines and co-production initiatives, while space collaboration spans decades between ISRO and CNES.Trade has grown significantly, with bilateral flows exceeding $15 billion. France is now India's third-largest EU trading partner. Educational links are expanding, with efforts to increase Indian students in France from 10,000 to 30,000 by 2030.&nbsp;The visit reinforces strategic convergence on Indo-Pacific issues, counter-terrorism and multilateral reform, including French support for India's UN Security Council ambitions. It also comes as the India-EU Free Trade Agreement nears completion, promising further economic gains.&nbsp;The trip is expected to deliver concrete outcomes in innovation, mobility and economic cooperation, further cementing France as one of India's "most trusted partners", as officials say, in an increasingly complex global landscape.

The visit will conclude in Paris on 18 June, where PM Modi will attend VivaTech and showcase India's growing strengths in AI, digital innovation and deep technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France on Saturday for a six-day visit that focuses on deepening ties between the two nations, just months after their bilateral relationship was elevated to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership". The Indian PM begins his visit from Nice (13-14 June), before heading to Evian for the G7 Summit and concluding in Paris. It marks his seventh official trip to France since 2014 and follows French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India in February 2026, during which the two countries upgraded their long-standing ties. In Nice, Mr Modi and French President Macron will jointly inaugurate the Bharat Innovates event, part of the India-France Year of Innovation. The gathering is expected to draw over 120 Indian startups alongside French and international business leaders, aiming to strengthen collaboration in technology and entrepreneurship. The leaders will also hold their first bilateral summit since the partnership upgrade. On 16-17 June, the Indian PM will attend the G7 Summit in Evian at President Macron's invitation. India's participation highlights its role as a prominent Global South voice on issues ranging from climate change to global governance. The number of bilateral meetings are expected, including with US President Donald Trump. Both leaders will meet on Wednesday, the first time since February 2025, in Washington DC. Also Read: Jaishankar tells Rubio US strikes that killed 3 Indian mariners were ‘not justified’ The visit culminates in Paris on 18 June with the Prime Minister's attendance at VivaTech, Europe's largest tech and startup summit. India will host its largest-ever pavilion there, positioning the country as a hub for AI, digital innovation and deep-tech. Officials hope the events will catalyse new partnerships between Indian and European tech ecosystems. India and France have enjoyed close relations since 1947, formalising a Strategic Partnership in 1998, India's first with a Western nation. The 2023 Horizon 2047 Roadmap outlines ambitious cooperation in defence, space, civil nuclear energy, climate, and people-to-people ties. Defence ties include Rafale jets, Scorpene submarines and co-production initiatives, while space collaboration spans decades between ISRO and CNES. Trade has grown significantly, with bilateral flows exceeding $15 billion. France is now India's third-largest EU trading partner. Educational links are expanding, with efforts to increase Indian students in France from 10,000 to 30,000 by 2030. The visit reinforces strategic convergence on Indo-Pacific issues, counter-terrorism and multilateral reform, including French support for India's UN Security Council ambitions. It also comes as the India-EU Free Trade Agreement nears completion, promising further economic gains. The trip is expected to deliver concrete outcomes in innovation, mobility and economic cooperation, further cementing France as one of India's "most trusted partners", as officials say, in an increasingly complex global landscape.

The visit will conclude in Paris on 18 June, where PM Modi will attend VivaTech and showcase India's growing strengths in AI, digital innovation and deep technology.

Indian PM Modi begins key France visit to boost 'Special Global Strategic Partnership'

New Delhi: French diplomatic sources have signalled major progress on a new Rafale deal and deeper defence-industrial cooperation with India, describing the partnership as far more advanced than a traditional buyer-seller relationship.&nbsp;The comments come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France, where innovation, civil nuclear issues and regional security are expected to top the agenda.&nbsp;“Once again, Make in India and integration of local weapons are part of it. This deal will be different from previous deals,” one French diplomatic source told reporters.&nbsp;The sources stressed Paris’s strong commitment to India’s flagship policy. “The French government is committed to Make in India in Defence,” they said, adding that defence technology ties had matured significantly over the past decade.&nbsp;“Answer is yes, we have demonstrated in last 10 years,” the source said when asked about technology transfer. “It’s not client-customer relationship. It’s equal to equal. Make in India will [be] part of the deal.”&nbsp;They described the overall defence relationship as “far more advanced” and “committed”, with France having “done far more” than many partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;Civil nuclear cooperation is also set to feature prominently. French officials expressed optimism that India’s Shanti law had opened doors for private-sector involvement.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We need to deal with challenges… but Shanti law [is] very good. It brings in the game Indian private sector,” the source said.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Since Shanti law was passed, our French utility company has entered into active discussions with big Indian players. What is interesting is [the] future of collaboration will be in Make in India. I am confident French stakeholders will be happy… we are [at the] beginning of [a] new phase. End of the year, we will have clear picture.”&nbsp;An announcement on innovation is also expected during the visit. On broader geopolitics, French sources acknowledged challenges to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) but said the concept remained relevant. “Concept of IMEC will remain relevant but situation in West Asia… We still have discussion. We have to deal with current situation in Middle East.”&nbsp;They confirmed India would join a special West Asia-focused meeting at next week’s G7 summit alongside the US and leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. “Emphasis on free navigation, we are not part of war, but it has impact on all of us,” the source said.&nbsp;France has invited India to participate in all G7 tracks, describing New Delhi as a “top priority” with a “special relationship”. “India is top priority, we have reached level of trust and confidence. It’s easy for both of us to talk about anything,” the diplomats said.&nbsp;&nbsp;They praised India’s G20 presidency and noted its current BRICS chairmanship, saying, “When India will find solution for its problem, it will be for the world.”&nbsp;Ease of travel for Indians also features high on the list. “Want to make it easier for Indian students to get visa… it’s a top priority,” sources said.

Civil nuclear cooperation is also set to feature prominently during Prmine Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France. French officials expressed optimism that India’s Shanti law had opened doors for private-sector involvement. Besides, an announcement on innovation is also expected. 

New Delhi: French diplomatic sources have signalled major progress on a new Rafale deal and deeper defence-industrial cooperation with India, describing the partnership as far more advanced than a traditional buyer-seller relationship. The comments come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France, where innovation, civil nuclear issues and regional security are expected to top the agenda. “Once again, Make in India and integration of local weapons are part of it. This deal will be different from previous deals,” one French diplomatic source told reporters. The sources stressed Paris’s strong commitment to India’s flagship policy. “The French government is committed to Make in India in Defence,” they said, adding that defence technology ties had matured significantly over the past decade. “Answer is yes, we have demonstrated in last 10 years,” the source said when asked about technology transfer. “It’s not client-customer relationship. It’s equal to equal. Make in India will [be] part of the deal.” They described the overall defence relationship as “far more advanced” and “committed”, with France having “done far more” than many partners. Civil nuclear cooperation is also set to feature prominently. French officials expressed optimism that India’s Shanti law had opened doors for private-sector involvement. “We need to deal with challenges… but Shanti law [is] very good. It brings in the game Indian private sector,” the source said. “Since Shanti law was passed, our French utility company has entered into active discussions with big Indian players. What is interesting is [the] future of collaboration will be in Make in India. I am confident French stakeholders will be happy… we are [at the] beginning of [a] new phase. End of the year, we will have clear picture.” An announcement on innovation is also expected during the visit. On broader geopolitics, French sources acknowledged challenges to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) but said the concept remained relevant. “Concept of IMEC will remain relevant but situation in West Asia… We still have discussion. We have to deal with current situation in Middle East.” They confirmed India would join a special West Asia-focused meeting at next week’s G7 summit alongside the US and leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. “Emphasis on free navigation, we are not part of war, but it has impact on all of us,” the source said. France has invited India to participate in all G7 tracks, describing New Delhi as a “top priority” with a “special relationship”. “India is top priority, we have reached level of trust and confidence. It’s easy for both of us to talk about anything,” the diplomats said. They praised India’s G20 presidency and noted its current BRICS chairmanship, saying, “When India will find solution for its problem, it will be for the world.” Ease of travel for Indians also features high on the list. “Want to make it easier for Indian students to get visa… it’s a top priority,” sources said.

Civil nuclear cooperation is also set to feature prominently during Prmine Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France. French officials expressed optimism that India’s Shanti law had opened doors for private-sector involvement. Besides, an announcement on innovation is also expected.&nbsp;

France says ‘equal to equal’ defence ties with India ahead of PM Modi’s visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for France as part of his tri-nation tour. He will hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during his two-day state visit to France from August 22 with an aim to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and civil nuclear energy along with robust trade and investment relations. From France, the prime minister will leave for a bilateral visit to UAE and Bahrain and will return to Biarritz city in France to attend the G7 summit.

PM Modi leaves for France as part of tri-nation tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during his two-day state visit to France from August 22 with an aim to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and civil nuclear energy along with robust trade and investment relations. From France, the prime minister will leave for a bilateral visit to UAE and Bahrain and will return to Biarritz city in France to attend the G7 summit.

PM Modi to embark on tri-nation tour to France, UAE & Bahrain