All eyes are on one particular encounter during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's France visit this time. The White House has officially confirmed that PM Modi and US President Donald Trump will sit down face to face on French soil. Coming after a gap of several months, the meeting is taking place at a moment when India and the United States are deep in discussions over a range of key issues, from trade to defence. The talks between the two leaders are expected to add fresh strength to the relationship between the two countries.
The full shape of the France trip
The visit comes at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. As part of it, the Prime Minister will take part in a series of events in Nice on 13-14 June. The most significant moment falls on 14 June, when Modi and Macron will hold a bilateral meeting aimed at lifting India-France ties to a new level.
Beyond Nice, the France trip also includes engagements in Evian and Paris. The Prime Minister himself noted that the visit will feature both bilateral and multilateral conversations, all geared towards deepening India's friendship with its principal development partners. Modi will also attend the G7 summit in France.
Startups and investors converge for 'India Innovates'
A major highlight of the trip is the 'India Innovates' programme, which Modi and Macron will inaugurate together. The Prime Minister will launch it alongside President Macron in Nice on 14 June 2026. The event will bring together leading startups and venture capital funds from India, France and other countries, with the goal of advancing innovation, investment and technological cooperation.
The entire initiative is being held under the 'India-France Year of Innovation'. Its aim is to connect India's emerging startups with investors from around the world and to promote the innovation coming out of the country's higher education institutions.
What the Ministry of External Affairs says
According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the visit will strengthen India-France cooperation in select sectors. He said the two nations will mark the year 2026 as the 'Year of Innovation', which is why innovation will be the central focus this time. The ministry says the 'India Innovates' event will showcase India's innovation ecosystem and give startups and innovators a platform to present their cutting-edge solutions and products. As part of the same push, Modi will also inaugurate 'India Innovates 2026' with Macron.
An emotional welcome from the diaspora in Nice
The moment the Prime Minister arrived in France, members of the Indian diaspora gave him a warm reception. On Saturday, large numbers of Indians turned up in Nice waving the tricolour to greet him. For many in the community, the meeting turned into an emotional and memorable moment.
Hasnain Zaidi, a student from Muzaffarnagar, shared that one often does not feel a sense of belonging abroad, but seeing Modi in person felt as though a member of his own family had come to meet him. NRI Shreeshail described the meeting as a deeply satisfying and unforgettable experience.
The Prime Minister, too, cherished the welcome. Posting on the social media platform 'X', he wrote, 'A memorable welcome from the Indian community in Nice. Even though they are several kilometres away from home, our community's bond with India remains as strong as ever.' After landing in France, he said, 'Reached Nice... I look forward to meeting President Macron on Sunday and taking part in India Innovates.'
Hopes run high in Slovakia too
Alongside France, the Indian community in Slovakia is also excited about the Prime Minister's official visit there, viewing it as a positive sign of growing opportunities. Avinash Vijay Kumar, a member of the Indian community who has lived in Slovakia for about 18 years, told TrendKia, 'This is a kind of good fortune and a historic moment for us, and we are very happy that PM Narendra Modi is taking out some time for us. Many of our people are already working in the skill sector, especially in automobiles and other sectors, and this will grow further in the future. This is a very good sign. It will create more opportunities for Indians.'
