Modi Revives a “Matador” Connection in Slovakia, Promotes India’s AI in France

Well into the 1990s, the Matador F307 van was a ubiquitous sight on Indian roads as sturdy vehicle that could transport kids to school, deliver commercial supplies and serve as an ambulance. The hardy van with a sturdy engine was tailor-made for Indian conditions requiring minimum maintenance. The “Matador” connection is in focus with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Slovakia where the company – which was part of the supply chain for the vehicle – began in 1905.

The visit -- first by an Indian PM – will interestingly enough, see a discussion with Slovakian companies who continue to be leading manufacturers of freight wagons. Matador had another connection to India too as its German major Continental AG set up a successful car tyre manufacturing venture in India. Clearly there was more that could be done between India and Slovakia despite the distance separating them and vastly different geographies and populations.

Evacuating Indians from Ukraine

All partnership count and Slovakia helped India evacuate 1,113 Indian students when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has been quick to hail the opportunities offered by the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Indian groups like Tata Motor’s Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Consultancy Services, Motherson Group and Alicon group are among Indian businesses with a presence in Slovakia where the number of NRIs, OCI card holders and students is growing.

Modi will travel to France after Slovakia for important engagements in business, AI development and geo-politics at Nice, Evian and Paris. The meeting of the G7 on June 16-17 assumed importance at a time when United States and Iran appear close to a more permanent truce but the deal is yet to be sealed. The forum will no doubt see participants express their views in the heavy cost the war and blockage of the Strait of Hormuz have imposed on the global economy. There is a possibility that Modi will meet President Donald Trump. The two leaders last met in February, 2025, not long after Trump was re-elected as President.

Bharat Innovates

Modi has a varied and busy agenda in France. In Nice, he will inaugurate the “Bharat Innovates” event alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The event brings together start ups from India, France and other parts of the world. Modi will also hold a bilateral summit with Macron in Nice. The two leader last met in February when Macron was in India and also attended the AI summit in New Delhi.

Modi’s participation at “Viva Tech 2026” on the main “theatre” stage of Viva Tech is, according to official sources, a direct continuation of the AI Impact summit in New Delhi and the Franco-Indian Year of Innovation – a bilateral framework celebrating science, technology and cultural exchanges from France and India. The Prime Minister has set out the MANAV (Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive and Valid and Legitimate AI) before the conference.

On the Main Stage at Viva Tech

While India’s designation as a “AI country partner” for 2026 is the significant moment for India’s participation, the Viva Tech platform presents an alternative to the perception that the AI race principally involves US and China. It represents avenues for developing an AI “third model” with European and a more broad-based approach characterised by democratic and transparent principles that do not lose sight of access and equity.

Business and AI leaders like Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, Arthur Mensch, Joe Tsai and Yann LeCun have featured at the Viva Tech summits recently. The programme bridges transition between the first wave of digitalisation and the beginning of the AI and deep tech era. As with the New Delhi AI summit, Modi’s presence is intended to give India a salience and attract cooperation and investment in a race where large nations with even larger budgets have a lead.

The G7 under the current French presidency has prioritised reduction of macro-economic imbalances, critical mineral and supply chain security, protection of minors from online threats, support to Ukraine and action against organised crime.