Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France and Slovakia from June 14 to 18, culminating his trip with participation in the 52nd G7 Summit under the French presidency.
File Photo: IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France and Slovakia from June 14 to 18, culminating his trip with participation in the 52nd G7 Summit under the French presidency. The visit is expected to include bilateral meetings with several world leaders on the sidelines of the summit, including a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump amid rising tensions in West Asia and growing concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
India has been invited as a partner country to the G7 Summit, marking its 13th participation in the grouping and Modi’s seventh consecutive appearance. The summit will focus on global challenges related to peace, security, economic growth, sustainability and artificial intelligence.
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Speaking at a media briefing, MEA Additional Secretary Piyush Srivastava said, “On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings and discussions with leaders of G7 countries, partner countries and international organisations.”
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“On such occasions, leaders have the opportunity to hold several bilateral meetings. We will keep you informed of these,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters, declining to confirm the Trump meeting directly.
Modi will begin his visit in Nice at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders will review progress under the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership and jointly inaugurate ‘Bharat Innovates,’ an event showcasing India’s startup ecosystem, deep-tech enterprises, digital public infrastructure, and advances in defence, space and clean energy. The initiative is part of the India-France Year of Innovation.
Officials described the India-France relationship as one marked by exceptional warmth and trust between the two leaders. Modi’s visit will be his seventh official trip to France.
At the G7 outreach sessions, Modi will participate in discussions on forging new partnerships, promoting balanced and sustainable economic growth, and ensuring the safe and effective rollout of artificial intelligence. India is also expected to highlight the priorities of the Global South.
The visit comes amid heightened regional tensions in West Asia following recent attacks on commercial vessels in the region.
The visit comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions in West Asia, where a vessel carrying Indian seafarers was attacked near Oman’s Shinas port on Thursday—the third such incident involving ships with Indian crew in the region within a week.
Asked whether India would back a French proposal for a naval convoy through the Strait of Hormuz, George stopped short of a commitment.
“We have urged that there be unimpeded and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. This is a topic which will come up for discussion,” he said, adding that India had already “registered deep concerns” over the targeting of vessels.
From France, PM Modi will travel to Slovakia for the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country since its independence in 1993. He will hold talks with Prime Minister Robert Fico and meet President Peter Pellegrini. Discussions will focus on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, defence, space, automobile manufacturing and railways.
The government said the visit is expected to deepen India’s engagement with France and Slovakia, strengthen cooperation with G7 countries, and foster partnerships in innovation, digital technologies and entrepreneurship, while advancing India’s broader strategic partnership with the European Union.
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