PM says India will voice global south at summit: Reports
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India’s presence at the G7 summit reflects global trust and the country’s growing global profile. In a statement ahead of his departure to France and Slovakia on a six-day tour from June 13 to 18, the Prime Minister said his visits to the two nations will reinforce India’s deepening engagement with both Europe and the G7 and showcase our steadfast commitment to expanding the horizon of partnerships.
Modi is expected to meet the United States President Donald Trump in France during the G7 summit. According to a senior US administration official, Trump is expected to discuss plans to demine the Strait of Hormuz with allies during the summit in France.
In his departure statement, Modi said France occupies a special place in India’s strategic vision. Earlier this year, French President Macron visited India, and the bilateral ties were elevated to a special global strategic partnership. “When I meet Macron in Nice, we will review the progress made since February and chart the next steps in our cooperation. I look forward to our discussions on pressing global issues of mutual interest as well,” he said.
Modi will inaugurate "Bharat Innovates" along with Macron in Nice on June 14. The landmark event, being held against the backdrop of the India-France Year of Innovation, will connect India’s most promising start-ups with global investment and serve as a major accelerator for innovations emerging from India's higher education ecosystem.
From Nice, Modi will travel to the Slovak Republic for a state visit from June 14-15, where he will hold talks with President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava and interact with business leaders. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia’s independence in 1993. The PM said this historic visit builds on the strong momentum in the bilateral relationship.
“I look forward to holding discussions with Pellegrini and Fico in Bratislava. I will also have the opportunity to interact with Slovak business leaders. Building on the momentum of the India-EU free trade agreement, the visit will further energise our strategic partnership with the European Union, of which Slovakia is an important and valued member,” Modi said.
From Slovakia, the Prime Minister will travel to the French city Evian to participate in the G7 summit on June 16 and 17. This is the 8th consecutive G7 summit to which India has been invited. “India’s presence at the G7 reflects the trust our partners place in us and our growing global profile. At the G7, India will not only speak for itself, but it will also give voice to the aspirations of the Global South,” he said.
Modi will conclude his visit to France in Paris on June 18, where he will attend VivaTech 2026 alongside Macron. VivaTech is Europe’s foremost gathering of technology and innovation, and India will have the largest national pavilion at this edition. Modi will also interact with the Indian community in Paris.
