So, in conclusion. It is possible for France to control India, but it is hard for them to do, just like it was hard for the British and the british were lucky. If France wants to control India, it won't be able to control all of it directly, but must use something like the princely states. Britain (or another rival power) must not be present in india, or else the Indian states will be able to use both European powers against each other and remain independent*. If France wants to control India it must reform both economically and militarily, focus more on its navy than it did OTL, and possibly even politically.
* I am not entirely sure if this would work or not:
Britain limited in India to just the Bay of Bengal (and Asia east of it, like Birma and possibly Indochina), while France concentrates on India, but with an Siameselike bufferstate between both European powers.
* I am not entirely sure if this would work or not:
Britain limited in India to just the Bay of Bengal (and Asia east of it, like Birma and possibly Indochina), while France concentrates on India, but with an Siameselike bufferstate between both European powers.