PM Modi in Paris for VivaTech, Strengthens India-France Tech Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced the final leg of his crucial two-nation European tour, arriving in Paris, France, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, following his participation in the G7 Summit in Evian and bilateral engagements in Nice. Upon his arrival in the French capital, PM Modi was accorded a warm reception by enthusiastic members of the Indian diaspora, a recurring feature of his international visits where he often emphasizes the community's role in strengthening bilateral ties. He conveyed his pride in their efforts to bring India and France closer, reiterating that the India-France partnership is vital for global progress. A central component of PM Modi's Paris agenda is his scheduled attendance at VivaTech 2026, Europe's largest technology and startup event, which runs from June 17 to June 20, 2026, at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. This year, India holds the significant designation of 'AI Country Partner' for VivaTech, underscoring the deepening technological collaboration between India and France and India's growing influence in global AI governance discussions. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that India will host the largest national pavilion at this edition, showcasing the immense potential for partnership between the Indian and European innovation ecosystems. During his address at the summit, PM Modi is expected to highlight India's burgeoning innovation ecosystem, technological advancements, and the country's approach to balancing innovation, inclusion, and responsible deployment of artificial intelligence, potentially outlining India's MANAV framework for AI governance. Prior to his arrival in Paris, PM Modi had a packed schedule in France and Slovakia. The six-day tour, from June 13 to June 18, 2026, began in Nice, where he held a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on June 14, 2026. This meeting was particularly significant as it was the first since the elevation of India-France ties to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' earlier in the year, with 2026 also being designated as the India-France Year of Innovation. During their talks, both leaders jointly inaugurated 'Bharat Innovates 2026,' a new platform designed to connect Indian deep-tech startups, investors, universities, and research institutions with global counterparts. This event, held in Nice from June 14-16, aims to position India as a builder of deep-tech products, not just a digital market, featuring over 120 Indian deep-tech startups across various sectors like AI, semiconductors, and defence. Following his engagements in Nice, PM Modi traveled to Slovakia for a state visit from June 14-16, 2026, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since its independence. Subsequently, he returned to France to attend the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains on June 16-17, 2026, where India was invited as an outreach partner. At the G7 Summit, PM Modi engaged in productive discussions with world leaders on critical global issues, including governance, artificial intelligence, and cooperation with the Global South. He underscored India's commitment to ethical, responsible, and human-centric AI development and advocated for an inclusive approach to ensure the benefits of emerging technologies reach developing countries. PM Modi's ongoing visit reaffirms the robust and evolving strategic partnership between India and France, which encompasses a wide array of areas including defence, security, space, civil nuclear energy, climate action, and emerging technologies. The focus on technology and innovation, particularly at events like Bharat Innovates and VivaTech, highlights a shared vision for leveraging digital transformation for global progress and addresses key themes such as Artificial Intelligence, Deep Tech, Sustainability, and Cybersecurity. The Indian diaspora expressed immense pride and emotion over the Prime Minister's visit, viewing it as a moment that strengthens their connection to their homeland and fosters greater opportunities through India-France collaboration. The visit is set to conclude on June 18, 2026, leaving a significant imprint on bilateral relations and global technological discourse.

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