What was the main difference between British rule in India in French rule in Indochina

A key difference between British Raj in India and French rule in Indochina is the role of local elites in the running of affairs.

In India, the British did not touch the traditional Hindu social structures, but allowed the local princes, the maharajas, to keep control of their territories. They only had to submit to central colonial authorities in relevant matters for the viceroyalty.

On the contrary, the French exercised complete control of administrative, economic, trade and political matters in Indochina. If local elites played some role, its scope can't be compared with that of British colonialism in India.