New Delhi, June 13 -- Defence and security cooperation, trade, technology, the concerns of the Global South and addressing the fallout of the West Asia conflict on energy security are set to top the agenda for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nearly week-long visit to France and Slovakia to attend the G7 Summit and hold bilateral consultations.

Modi, who began the visit on Saturday, said that France "occupies a special place in India's strategic vision." He added that his discussions with President Emmanuel Macron will focus on enhancing cooperation in key sectors, especially technology, while his participation in outreach sessions of the G7 Summit will be an opportunity to "give voice to the aspirations of the Global South".

The visit to...