New Delhi/Paris/Bratislava6 minutes ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Slovakia at 2:18 AM on Sunday as part of the second leg of his two-nation tour. He is scheduled to remain in the country until 16 June.
Upon arrival in the capital, Bratislava, Modi was welcomed by Juraj Blanár, Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs.
In keeping with Slovak tradition, Blanár presented Modi with bread and salt, a customary symbol of hospitality, respect and goodwill. The PM also met members of the Indian community living in Slovakia at the airport.
Slovakia became an independent nation in 1993, and this marks the first visit by an Indian PM in the country’s 33-year history. During his visit, Modi is expected to hold talks with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and PM Robert Fico.
Modi arrived in Slovakia from Nice, where he held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and participated in the launch of the India Innovates programme.
The PM is on a six-day visit to France and Slovakia, which began on 13 June. He is also scheduled to attend the G7 Summit in Evian, France, on 17 June, where he is expected to meet US President Donald Trump.
3 pictures of Modi’s welcome in Bratislava
Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanr, welcomed Modi in the capital Bratislava.
PM Modi was presented with bread and salt in the Slovak tradition. The PM accepted it with folded hands.
Many Indians living in Slovakia arrived at Bratislava Airport to meet PM Modi. “Modi-Modi” slogans were raised here.
More than 9,200 Indians reside in Slovakia
Over 9,200 Indians currently live in Slovakia, with many employed in IT services, research and development centres, engineering, and other technical sectors.
As Slovakia is part of the Schengen Area, Indian nationals holding a valid Schengen visa can travel across 26 European countries without requiring separate visas, making the country an attractive destination for professionals and students.
India-Slovakia trade to reach ₹17 thousand crore in 2025
- Slovakia produces more than 1 million passenger cars every year. It has factories of Volkswagen, Kia, Jaguar Land Rover, and Volvo. The automotive sector accounts for 14% of Slovakia’s GDP.
- India exported goods worth approximately ₹14,500 crore to Slovakia in 2025. This included small car parts, mobile phones, textiles, and clothing.
- Slovakia’s working population is decreasing by 15 to 20 thousand people every year. Due to this, the demand for foreign workers is continuously increasing.
- India imports cars, large industrial machinery, integrated electrical electronics, and processed rubber from Slovakia.
- Trade between India and Slovakia amounted to approximately ₹17,000 crore in 2025.
India and France sign 13 key agreements during Modi-Macron talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice on Sunday. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were also present.
During the meeting, the two countries signed 13 major agreements. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, discussions covered defence, trade, technology, space and education. Both sides also launched a high-level Economic Security Dialogue aimed at doubling bilateral trade over the next five years.
Earlier, Modi and Macron jointly inaugurated the Bharat Innovates 2026 programme, which brought together start-ups and venture capital funds from India, France and other countries.
Following the event, Macron accompanied Modi on a visit to Villa Kérylos, one of France’s renowned cultural heritage sites near Nice. The French President also shared a selfie with Modi on social media platform X.
During the visit to Villa Kerylos, Macron was seen walking hand-in-hand with PM Modi.
5 key takeaways from PM’s address in France
India-France ties are special: Prime Minister Modi said the India-France relationship goes beyond trade or a strategic partnership. It is built on trust, shared values and common goals. Both countries are working together to address major global challenges.
‘Bharat Innovates’ is a major platform for youth: Modi said Bharat Innovates connects Indian talent with European investment. It will give Indian startups, young entrepreneurs and innovative ideas access to leading global investors and experts.
India is a major startup hub: The Prime Minister noted that while more than 100 startups are participating in the event, India is home to over 200,000 startups. These ventures are contributing not only to India’s growth but also to global economic and technological development.
Emerging technologies will shape the future: Modi said the world is facing multiple challenges, but every challenge also creates new opportunities. Technologies such as AI, quantum computing, biotechnology and space technology will define the future.
Youth are solving real-world problems: The Prime Minister said India is witnessing a startup revolution, with young people developing innovative solutions to everyday challenges. He added that New India is not just a consumer of technology but is emerging as a provider of solutions to the world.
Macron: The world wants to innovate with India , 5 key takeaways
India is driving global innovation: French President Emmanuel Macron said India is emerging as a global leader in research, innovation and technological development. He noted that India produces as many engineers each year as Europe and the United States combined.
The world wants to partner with India: Macron said the debate is no longer about whether India can innovate, but about who will choose to innovate alongside India.
Backing open and collaborative AI models: He said some countries favour restricting AI development, whereas India and France support open, multilingual and collaborative AI models.
Praise for Modi’s leadership: Macron congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving Prime Minister since independence, describing it as a reflection of his work ethic, leadership and the country’s growing strength.
Cooperation on energy and climate: Macron highlighted opportunities for deeper collaboration in civil nuclear energy. He said India and France could also work together on advanced nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Discussion on the deal for 114 Rafale aircraft from France
Talks between India and France regarding the Rafale fighter jet have progressed significantly. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Sunday that the Rafale issue was specifically discussed during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
He said that Prime Minister Modi’s complete focus is on promoting ‘Make in India’. India wants both countries to collaborate on all aspects of defense projects, from designing to manufacturing aircraft.
Among these, the most important is the deal for 114 Rafale aircraft for the Air Force. In this deal worth about 3.25 lakh crore rupees, India wants complete transfer of technology, in addition to joint development and production of the aircraft.
India will also clarify its stand on the source code for installing missiles and other weapons on these aircraft as per requirements. The Security Affairs Committee (CCS) of the Modi cabinet has not yet approved this deal.
India and France aim to develop an open-source AI model
At present, the world’s two dominant Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are the American model, driven largely by private-sector profits, and the Chinese model, which is based on state control.
India and France are now working towards offering a third alternative an open-source AI model. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that while India was seen as a “technology adopter” a decade ago, it has now emerged as a “technology provider” and a source of global solutions.
French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted India’s technological strength, noting that the country’s population of 1.4 billion produces more than one million engineers every year a figure he said is comparable to the combined total of Europe and the United States.
Pictures from PM’s France visit
PM Modi and President Macron met in Nice. They hugged each other.
The PM met with investors at the India Innovates program.
President Macron took a selfie with PM Modi and posted it on X.
The PM met the Indian community in Nice. He also caressed a child in the hotel.
Indian women placed the PM’s hand on their heads.
What is G7, and which countries are in it?
G7, or ‘Group of Seven’, is a group of 7 countries in the world that are called countries with ‘modern economies’. These include America, France, Britain, Japan, Italy, Canada, and Germany.
It started in 1975 as G6. It became the G7 after Canada joined in 1976. It was renamed G8 with the inclusion of Russia in 1998, but after Russia’s occupation of Ukraine’s Crimea region in 2014, it was expelled from the group. After this, it was again called G7.
India is not a member of the G7, but due to its major economy and significant global role, it is often invited as a special guest country. Usually, the Prime Minister of India receives an invitation to the summit.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh participated in the G7 (formerly G8) Summit five times between 2005 and 2013. PM Modi was invited for the first time to the G7 Summit held in Biarritz, France, in 2019.
In 2020, the US was supposed to host, but it then canceled the summit. Subsequently, PM Modi virtually participated in the conference hosted by Britain in 2021. Additionally, Modi participated in the G7 Summits held in Germany in 2022, Japan in 2023, Italy in 2024, and Canada in 2025.
What is Bharat Innovates, which the PM will inaugurate?
‘Bharat Innovates’ is a new global initiative of the Ministry of Education, which was announced by Prime Minister Modi during the inauguration of the India-France Innovation Year in February 2026. Its objective is to connect Indian startups, IITs, IISc, universities, and research institutions with global investors, companies, universities, and research organizations.
This event will take place from June 14 to 16 in the city of Nice at the Palais des Expositions. The mega summit will be inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and France’s President Emmanuel Macron.
France Among India’s Top-2 Weapon Suppliers
According to a report by the French newspaper Le Monde in 2025, France has stood by India even when major world powers, including the United States, abandoned India.
After the nuclear tests in Pokhran, countries like the United States, Japan, Germany, and Britain imposed several sanctions on India, but France supported India.
Ignoring American sanctions, France began selling weapons to India and has now become India’s second-largest defense weapon supplier after Russia.
India has received Mirage 2000 fighter jets, Rafale fighter jets, and Scorpene submarines from France.
France has always supported India on international forums
During the G20 Summit held in September 2023, PM Modi invited US President Joe Biden to attend the 2024 Republic Day celebrations, but in December, he declined to visit India.
At such a time, India sent an invitation to French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Republic Day. He immediately accepted it.
On international platforms, France has always supported India. French President Emmanuel Macron, in September 2024 at the United Nations, demanded that India be made a permanent member of the Security Council.
Additionally, France also advocates for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
G7 Summit 2026 and its agenda
The G7 Summit is held annually to discuss a set agenda, hosted by the country holding the G7 presidency. In fact, all 7 G7 countries take turns holding the presidency.
This year, France holds the presidency. Thus, the G7 Summit will be held in the city of Evian, France. The agenda for this summit includes geopolitical crises (Ukraine war, Iran-Israel tensions, situation in Gaza, Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz, security challenges in the Middle East), global economic cooperation and imbalances, and issues related to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In addition, leaders and officers of G7 member countries hold several meetings a year, in which many agreements are made and official statements are issued on major world events.
Initially, the G7’s agenda was to resolve issues like economic challenges and climate change. Later, political and security-related issues were also included. G7’s decisions on global issues affect the entire world.
For example, in 2002, the G7 created a Global Fund to fight malaria and AIDS. In 1998, during the financial crisis, it provided economic assistance to countries like Indonesia and Thailand. During the Russia-Ukraine war, it decided to impose strict sanctions on Russia and help Ukraine.
How is G7 different from G20
G7 does not have a permanent office, and its member countries cannot pass any international laws. The biggest issue in the G20 is the world economy, while political issues are also important for the G7. G20, formed in 1999, includes BRICS countries in addition to G7 countries.
These countries include, besides India, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, and the European Union. According to Rajan Kumar, the G20 also includes countries with new and growing economies.
Even though G7 and G20 may have a similar agenda, currently, G20 is a more effective group. In 2020, US President Trump also called the G7 a very outdated group.
