French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain has said that his country is keen to partner in the process of creating a national industrial base for defense industries in India. Speaking to reporters on Saturday aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which is participating in the Indo-French naval exercise 'Varuna' off the Goa coast, Lenin said the two countries can produce a lot of equipment for the defense and space sectors. He said that France is committed to providing the best of technology to the Indian forces without any restrictions. Lenin said that France really understood the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India).

French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain further said that we understand this also because we are a very independent country and we have gone through that process as well. We also want to be a partner in the process of creating a national industrial base for defense industries in India. Lenin said that when India is looking to diversify its suppliers, France is a great option. Lenin said his country was committed to providing the best technology to the Indian forces without any restrictions. He said, France will not only support Make in India but will also come forward for co-development of equipment. When asked about the relations between the two countries, Lenin said that the bilateral relations between India and France are exceptionally good and trusting. 

Ambassador Lenain said that we share the same values. The best way to assert our strategic autonomy is by cooperating together. The two countries can co-produce a lot of equipment for the defense and space sectors, Lenin said. A French Navy official had earlier said that this joint preparation for air-sea combat with ships, frigates and helicopters, as well as a French command and replenishment ship, is India's best in the Indo-Pacific region. Gives the example of French naval cooperation.