PM says India will voice global south at summit: Reports
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India’s participation in the G7 reflects growing global trust and the country’s expanding international profile, ahead of his six-day visit to France and Slovakia from June 13 to 18.
In a departure statement, he said the visits would reinforce India’s engagement with Europe and the G7 grouping, and underline its commitment to expanding partnerships with the region and beyond.
Referring to ties with France, he said the country held a key place in India’s strategic vision. He noted that during the recent visit of President Emmanuel Macron to India, bilateral ties were elevated to a Special Global Strategic Partnership. “When I meet President 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 also inaugurate the ‘Bharat Innovates’ event with President Macron in Nice on June 14, aimed at connecting Indian start-ups with global investors as part of the India-France Year of Innovation.
He will travel to Slovakia for a state visit on June 14-15, the first by an Indian Prime Minister since the country’s independence in 1993. “I look forward to holding discussions with President Pellegrini and Prime Minister 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,” he said.
From Slovakia, the Prime Minister will travel to Evian to attend the G7 Summit on June 16 and 17. This will be the eighth 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.
He will conclude his visit in Paris on June 18, where he will attend the VivaTech 2026 event alongside President Macron and interact with the Indian community.
