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What is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

FDI

About FDI

What is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is when a company takes controlling ownership in a business entity in another country. With FDI, foreign companies are directly involved with day-to-day operations in the other country. This means they aren’t just bringing money with them, but also knowledge, skills and technology.
 
Generally, FDI takes place when an investor establishes foreign business operations or acquires foreign business assets, including establishing ownership or controlling interest in a foreign company.  
 
Where is FDI made?
 
Foreign Direct Investments are commonly made in open economies that have skilled workforce and growth prospect. FDIs not only bring money with them but also skills,
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Latest Updates on FDI

Weekly policy watch: Coal gasification deadline, forex reserves in focus

The week's policy agenda will focus on the coal gasification scheme, possible changes to plantation FDI rules and fresh forex reserves data

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Updated On : 07 Sep 2026 | 11:09 AM IST

Govt mulls FDI liberalisation to bring more crops under plantation sector

India has received $295.23 million FDI in tea and coffee (processing and warehousing coffee), and $3.93 billion in rubber goods during April 2000 and March 2026

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Updated On : 06 Sep 2026 | 11:39 PM IST

India's FDI paradox: Record gross inflows run into investor exits

Record inflows offset by higher repatriation and rising outward investment, keeping net FDI subdued

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Updated On : 04 Sep 2026 | 2:31 PM IST

Centre allows ecommerce firms to hold inventory for exports under FDI rules

The finance ministry has amended FDI rules to allow e-commerce entities to hold inventory exclusively for exporting goods manufactured or produced in India

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Updated On : 04 Sep 2026 | 10:29 AM IST

Defence FDI rules belong to a different era

As defence and space startups develop globally competitive capabilities, should India create a national-security screening mechanism for foreign investment?

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Updated On : 03 Sep 2026 | 10:37 PM IST

Govt considering easing FDI norms in defence sector for overseas investors

The government is considering liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in the defence sector to further attract overseas investors, an official said on Monday.

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Updated On : 31 Aug 2026 | 4:02 PM IST

Streamlined approvals, KYC norms will help boost FDI flows: Piyush Goyal

There are very few sectors where foreign direct investment (FDI) is restricted, and the government is open to ideas from industry to further improve the investment regime, he said

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Updated On : 27 Aug 2026 | 3:59 PM IST

The big BIT reset: Why India is rethinking its investment treaty model

Recent treaties with the UAE and Israel point to shorter arbitration timelines and broader investment protection, even as India retains regulatory safeguards in sensitive areas

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Updated On : 23 Aug 2026 | 10:02 PM IST

Easing of 10% rule on Chinese stake attracts FDI worth ₹4,896 crore

Investments span sectors including information technology, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, data centres and transport services, government says

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Updated On : 21 Aug 2026 | 10:48 PM IST

West Bengal's mega-project ambitions face old and familiar obstacles

The state could be the Bharatiya Janata Party's real test case of its business-friendly policies swot 

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Updated On : 13 Aug 2026 | 12:26 AM IST

Govt mulls raising CCEA approval threshold for FDI proposals to ₹15,000 cr

As per the existing FDI policy, in case of proposals involving total foreign equity inflow of more than ₹5,000 crore, the competent authority places the application for consideration of the CCEA

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Updated On : 09 Aug 2026 | 2:24 PM IST

India's insurance sector set for 'massive' growth despite risks: S&P

S&P Global Ratings said regulatory reforms, low insurance penetration and higher foreign investment will drive long-term expansion, though profitability and macroeconomic challenges remain

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Updated On : 06 Aug 2026 | 1:35 PM IST

Foreign etailers told to set up separate export-only units in India

The DGFT has notified a framework requiring foreign-owned e-commerce firms to create separate legal entities for inventory-based exports of Indian-made goods under the revised FDI policy

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Updated On : 05 Aug 2026 | 11:53 PM IST

Six issues impeding foreign investors in India need urgent attention

There is no single policy intervention that will alter this trajectory. We must assess the entirety of foreign firms' interaction with the Indian state

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Updated On : 02 Aug 2026 | 11:25 PM IST

India okayed just one FDI proposal from China, 13 from Hong Kong in FY26

Overall, the government has approved 63 FDI (foreign direct investment) proposals worth Rs 10,292.67 crore, or $1.18 billion, during April 2025-March 2026, according to the DPIIT data

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Updated On : 02 Aug 2026 | 10:31 PM IST

FDI policy change set to lift ODOP, handicraft exports via online platforms

One District One Product (ODOP) is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for promotion of at least one product from each district of the country

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Updated On : 02 Aug 2026 | 10:41 AM IST

Sectoral, destination shifts mark outward Indian FDI commitments in June

Shifting global supply chains are pushing more Indian firms to build a footprint abroad

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Updated On : 31 Jul 2026 | 12:04 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: States must reduce debt in face of redemption pressures

From mounting state debt and agricultural research to public asset monetisation, China-linked investment and Tim Berners-Lee's vision for reclaiming the open web

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Updated On : 30 Jul 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

India must tread cautiously on further easing of Chinese FDI norms

The experience of Asean economies and the European Union shows Chinese investments come with serious implications for host countries

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Updated On : 29 Jul 2026 | 11:46 PM IST

India must remove investment barriers, ease non-tariff measures: Report

Competere Foundation says reducing investment restrictions and addressing overseas regulatory barriers are key to boosting exports, productivity and long-term growth

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Updated On : 29 Jul 2026 | 7:59 PM IST