Nice, June 14 -- India's approach in the defence sector is to increasingly advance the 'Make in India' initiative with a focus on co-development, co-design, co-production and co-manufacturing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday, referring to ongoing discussions on Rafale aircraft with France, underscoring New Delhi's emphasis on enhancing indigenous capabilities.

Addressing a special briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first leg of his visit to France, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India's approach to defence cooperation, including discussions surrounding the Rafale fighter aircraft, is guided by the objective of maximising local production and manufacturing.

"The Indian Air Force operates the Rafale...