Panaji: France wants to be a partner in the process of building a national industrial base for defence industries in India, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain has said, media reported.

Lenain said France has understood the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) and is committed to providing the best technologies to Indian forces without restrictions, according to a report in the media.

He was speaking to the media on board the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle which took part in the Indo-French naval exercise 'Varuna' off the Goa coast.

He emphasized that India and France can co-produce a lot of equipment to serve the needs of the defence and space sectors.

The French envoy said his country wants to be a partner in India’s efforts to build a national industrial base for defence industries, he said, adding that France is a great option when India wants to diversify its suppliers.

France wants to come forward to co-develop and co-produce equipment, he said.

The Indo-French naval exercise that began here on January 16 culminated on Friday.