Why France built Suez and Britain bought it

Who was responsible for building the Suez Canal, and what strategic purpose did it serve?

France drove its construction to offset British power and reach toward India, but Britain later bought control and used the route itself.

French construction of Suez took years and substantial expenditure. In the explanation offered, France wanted access toward India that would offset British strength. Britain then bought control of the route. The intended strategic advantage therefore did not remain exclusively French.