Indian PM Narendra Modi Arrives in France for Bilateral Talks and Startup Event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nice, France, last night on the first leg of his two-nation visit to France and Slovakia. During his stay in France, he will join French President Emmanuel Macron in jointly inaugurating Bharat Innovates and hold bilateral talks with him on key areas of cooperation and global issues ahead of the upcoming G7 Summit.The Prime Minister will subsequently travel to Slovakia for bilateral engagements with the Slovak leadership. At a community reception held at the iconic Hotel Negresco yesterday, a large gathering of the Indian diaspora accorded a warm and enthusiastic welcome to the Prime Minister.Prime Minister Modi interacted warmly with members of the community and witnessed colourful cultural performances featuring classical Indian dance forms, including Kathak, Odissi and Bharatanatyam, presented by French and Italian artists. The vibrant reception reflected the strong cultural and people-to-people ties between India and France.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today join French President Emmanuel Macron for the inauguration of Bharat Innovates at the Palais des Expositions in Nice. The event will showcase India’s startup and innovation ecosystem, with around 120 startups presenting innovations to global investors and technology leaders.Following the event, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will hold bilateral talks at Villa Kerylos. The meeting will be the first since India and France elevated their ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership earlier this year. The two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in defence, technology, trade and innovation, besides exchanging views on key regional and global developments.The Prime Minister will later depart for Slovakia for the second leg of his visit.