Defence Minister Rajnath Singh invited French defence industries to set up production bases in India and enter into co-production of high-end defence equipment while addressing top honchos on the last day of his three-day visit to France on Wednesday (10 October).

"We want collaboration to modernise our shipyards and defence platforms by infusion of technology. French firms can make India its base for production of defence equipment not only for India's large market but also for export to other countries," he said at a meeting of defence and avionics industries’ leaders.

He talked about the range of tax reforms which had taken place under the Modi government, as well as the government’s willingness to give more opportunities for the private sector participate in the defence sector as part of ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Rajnath Singh has travelled to France along with a delegation of senior defence and armed forces officials on a three-day official tour. He formally received the first of the 36 Rafale multi-role combat aircraft in Merignac on Tuesday.

Invitations were extended to French firms by the Indian delegation for participating in DefExpo 2020 which will be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh next year.

"We have set up two defence corridors in India in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and offer attractive terms for investment. I would like to emphasise that India would be open to explore opportunities and co-production of high-end defence equipment," Rajnath Singh said.

(With inputs from IANS)