Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Paris on June 17, 2026, after attending the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, and emphasized the growing importance of the India-France partnership in driving global progress and innovation.
Upon his arrival, the Prime Minister received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora. In a social media post, Mr. Modi expressed pride in the Indian community’s role in strengthening ties between the two nations.
“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,” Mr. Modi said, adding that the India-France partnership remains vital for global development.
Paris is the final stop of Mr. Modi’s two-nation visit to France and Slovakia. During his stay, he is scheduled to participate in VivaTech 2026 alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and engage with members of the Indian community.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, VivaTech is Europe’s leading technology and innovation event. India will showcase the largest national pavilion at this year’s edition, highlighting expanding cooperation between Indian and European innovation ecosystems.
The Indian diaspora in mainland France is estimated at approximately 119,000 people, while more than 350,000 people of Indian origin reside in France’s overseas territories.
Before arriving in Paris, Mr. Modi described his engagements at the G7 Summit as productive, stating that India had effectively presented its perspectives on key global governance and policy issues. He also stressed the importance of stronger engagement with the Global South to ensure inclusive global prosperity.
During the G7 outreach session, the Prime Minister proposed a framework aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade by leveraging the strengths of G7 nations, India, and developing economies. He also raised concerns about the long-term impact of the West Asia crisis on emerging and developing countries.
On the sidelines of the summit, Mr. Modi held bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including 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.
India and France continue to deepen their strategic partnership across key sectors such as defence, security, space, civil nuclear energy, climate action, emerging technologies, and Indo-Pacific cooperation. Both countries are increasingly collaborating on innovation, global governance, and sustainable development initiatives.
The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties and create new opportunities for cooperation in technology, trade, and strategic affairs.
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