French soccer’s Professional Football League (LFP) is exploring options to bring events related to the Coupe de la Ligue to India, according to the top executive at the competition’s title sponsor, BKT.

Arvind Poddar, chairman and managing director of the Indian tyre company that lends its name to the club knockout tournament, has revealed that the LFP and BKT are looking at various ways to utilise their six-year partnership in the country.

Whether those events could involve staging live games in the Indian subcontinent remain unclear, but Poddar hinted at significant activations.

“At this moment I can’t go into the specifics. All I can say is that the French leagues’ governing body is looking to bring Coupe de la Ligue to India,” Poddar was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

“We are looking at various options and if they come to India, we’ll assess.”

Speaking in Lille at the final of this year’s Coupe de la Ligue, which saw Strasbourg beat Guingamp 4-1 on penalties after a goalless draw, Arvind also said that the LFP could be looking to partner with an Indian soccer league in the near future.

“It’s not very clear whether they will be tying up with the Indian Super League,” he said. “I know that they have had some meetings when their officials came to India in January.”

Arvind’s comments came as LFP chief executive Didier Quillot opened the door to investment in France’s soccer clubs from Indian businesses.

Quillot described India as a “top priority” for the league, adding that it would be the “perfect time” for corporates from the country to invest in French soccer at a point when it is enjoying one of its most successful periods.

"We have now international investors from America and China. The value of Ligue 1 is increasing, and I strongly believe that it is the right time to invest in France, because the momentum is here," said Quillot, also speaking to the PTI.

"I think there are clubs who are looking for new shareholders, with cash capacity and marketing experience.”

Adding: "India is our top priority along with the US and China. There is so much to do in football in India, we want to help. We can bring to India expertise in terms of academies, players and coaching.”

BKT acquired title sponsorship rights to the Coupe de la Ligue ahead of this season’s edition and will put its name to the competition until 2024. At the time, Quillot described the investment as “significant” and suggested the deal could help Indian broadcasters “become more familiar” with Ligue 1, French soccer’s top tier.

The LFP has been looking to grow the international profile of its clubs in recent times, and L'Équipe reported in January the soccer body was discussing plans to take Ligue 1’s top teams on a summer tour of the US.