Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Paris, says India-France ties vital for global progress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Paris on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) local time, receiving a warm reception from the Indian diaspora. This visit marks the final leg of his two-nation tour, which also took him to Slovakia and included his participation as a guest at the G7 Summit in the French commune of Evian-Les-Bains.
Upon landing, the Prime Minister shared a message on social media, stating: "I arrived in Paris just a short while ago, where I was warmly welcomed by the Indian diaspora. I am proud of their efforts to bring India and France closer together." According to official estimates, around 119,000 people of Indian origin live in mainland France, with an additional 350,000 residing in French overseas territories.
Prime Minister Modi further highlighted the global importance of bilateral relations, saying, "The India-France partnership is essential to the progress of our planet." The Indian diaspora has long served as a vital link, fostering cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations.
During his stay in Paris, the Prime Minister is slated to co-host the inauguration of VivaTech 2026 alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The event, recognised as Europe's premier technology and innovation summit, will feature India as the host of the largest national pavilion this year. This reflects a deepening collaboration between Indian and European innovation ecosystems, as noted by the Ministry of External Affairs.
VivaTech serves as a significant platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies, and India's prominent presence underscores its growing stature as a global tech hub. The Indian pavilion will feature startups and innovators, highlighting the country's vibrant tech ecosystem. The event is expected to facilitate partnerships in areas such as artificial intelligence, green technology, and digital governance, aligning with the shared priorities of both countries.
Before reaching Paris, Prime Minister Modi participated in the G7 Summit, which he described as "productive." He had the opportunity to articulate India's viewpoints and initiatives on governance and policy-making, emphasising the necessity for enhanced engagement with the Global South to foster worldwide prosperity.
At an outreach session on Wednesday, he put forward a framework aimed at boosting connectivity and trade by leveraging the combined strengths of G7 nations, India, and the Global South. He also raised concerns about the protracted West Asia crisis and its adverse consequences for developing economies.
On the previous day of the summit, the Prime Minister urged global leaders to move beyond traditional donor-recipient relationships and embrace partnerships founded on solidarity and equality. "Trust is the bedrock of any meaningful international cooperation," he had remarked, calling for a collective approach to global challenges.
On the sidelines of the G7, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral discussions with a number of world leaders. These included U.S. President Donald Trump, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The meetings provided an opportunity to review bilateral relations and discuss avenues for enhanced cooperation in areas such as trade, defence, and climate action, as well as to coordinate on pressing international issues.
India and France have maintained a strategic partnership since 1998, which now spans defence, security, space, civil nuclear energy, climate action, and emerging technologies. Both countries have intensified their collaboration on Indo-Pacific matters, innovation, and global governance frameworks. The current visit reinforces their mutual commitment to these goals and to addressing global challenges.
