Modi Says India Will Represent Global South at G7 Summit During Europe Visit
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By Mahima Katal New Delhi, June 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India would use its platform at the upcoming G7 Summit to advocate not only for its own interests but also for the priorities and aspirations of developing nations across the Global South.
In a departure statement ahead of his week-long visit to France and Slovakia, Modi said India's repeated invitation to the G7 reflects growing international confidence in the country's role in global affairs and its expanding influence on the world stage.
“This is the eighth consecutive G7 Summit to which India has been invited. At the G7, India will not only speak for itself, but it will also give voice to the aspirations of the Global South,” Modi said.
The summit will be held in the French city of Évian-les-Bains on June 16-17 and will bring together leaders of the world's leading industrialised democracies along with invited partner countries.
Modi said his visits to France and Slovakia would strengthen India's engagement with Europe and deepen cooperation with both countries across strategic, economic and technological sectors.
France, he said, occupies a special place in India's strategic vision. During his visit, Modi will join French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice on June 14 to inaugurate "Bharat Innovates", an initiative aimed at connecting Indian start-ups with global investors and fostering collaboration in innovation and technology.
The event is being held as part of the India-France Year of Innovation and is expected to showcase emerging technologies developed within India's higher education and start-up ecosystems.
Following his engagements in France, Modi will travel to Slovakia for a state visit on June 14-15. The trip marks the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Slovakia since the country's independence in 1993.
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n Bratislava, Modi will hold talks with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico, and meet business leaders to explore opportunities for economic cooperation.
The Indian prime minister said the visit would help further strengthen ties with the European Union, particularly as India and the EU continue discussions on a long-pending free trade agreement.
After attending the G7 Summit, Modi will conclude his France visit in Paris on June 18, where he will participate in VivaTech 2026 alongside Macron.
VivaTech is one of Europe's largest technology and innovation events, and India is expected to feature the largest national pavilion at this year's edition, highlighting the growing links between Indian and European innovation ecosystems.
Modi also said he looked forward to interacting with members of the Indian diaspora in France, describing them as an important bridge between the two countries.
