Foreign Direct Investments

Govt mulls FDI liberalisation to bring more crops under plantation sector

The government is considering liberalising foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in the plantation sector by bringing more commercial crops under the ambit, an official said. The Commerce and Industry Ministry is holding stakeholder consultations on the issue, the official said. "We are looking for more FDI liberalisation in the plantation sector like banana," the official added. At present, 100 per cent FDI under automatic route is permitted in the tea sector, including tea plantations, coffee, rubber, cardamom, palm and olive oil tree plantations. Besides these, FDI is not allowed in any other plantation sector/activity. India has received USD 295.23 million FDI in tea and coffee (processing and warehousing coffee), and USD 3.93 billion in rubber goods during April 2000 and March 2026. As per estimates, India is the largest banana producer in the world with over 30 million tonnes annually. Despite being the largest global producer of bananas, India's exports do not reflect thi

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

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

The Department of Economic Affairs under the finance ministry has notified changes in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms to allow e-commerce firms to maintain inventory only for export purposes. These firms will have to export goods manufactured or produced in India. Also, FDI in inventory-based e-commerce retailing has not been permitted. The department in a September 2 notification has added a provision in this regard in the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019. "An e-commerce entity is permitted to engage in inventory-based model of e-commerce exclusively for the export of goods or products manufactured or produced in India in accordance with the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 read with the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) and the Foreign Exchange Management (Export of Goods & Services) Regulations, 2015," the provision says. With this, the decision announced in July has now come into force. "The restrictions on Business to Consumer (B2C) .

Reforms for higher growth: India must capitalise on international trade

India needs faster tariff cuts, deeper trade integration and stronger investment treaties to boost exports, attract FDI and sustain the high growth needed to become a developed economy

Net FDI decline due to increased repatriation by foreign investors: Govt

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) declined in recent years, from USD 27.99 billion in FY23 to USD 6.95 billion in FY26, due to increased repatriation by foreign investors and rising Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) outflows, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. Net FDI moderated to USD 10.13 billion in FY24 and further to USD 960 million in FY25, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha quoting RBI data. In gross terms, he said, India registered a record FDI inflow of USD 94.84 billion in FY26 as compared to USD 80.61 billion in FY25. "The decline in net FDI in recent years recovered to USD 6.95 billion in FY26 from USD 0.96 billion in FY25. The recent trend in net FDI inflows is associated with increased repatriation/disinvestment by foreign investors and rising Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) outflows," he said. The ODI outflow on account of liberalized ODI rules notified in 2022 is helping Indian entities enhance their business

Govt considering proposal to ease FDI norms for downstream investments

The government is considering a proposal to ease foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for downstream investments to boost overseas fund inflows and create jobs, sources said. The proposal is currently under inter-ministerial discussions, they said. The government has in recent years undertaken a series of reforms aimed at liberalising the country's FDI policies with the goal of stimulating economic growth and encouraging foreign capital inflows. To promote FDI, the government has put in place an investor-friendly policy, with most sectors open to 100 per cent overseas investments under the automatic route except for a few strategically important sectors. More than 90 per cent of FDI inflows are received under the automatic route. One of the sources said that to ensure that India remains an attractive and investor-friendly destination, the government reviews the FDI policy on a continuous basis and makes changes from time to time after holding extensive consultations with ...

Improving investment climate: Reforms at the state level can drive growth

NITI Aayog's investment index highlights wide disparities among states, underscoring the need for governance reforms, stronger institutions and balanced regional growth

BITs: Credibility comes at a price for attracting foreign investment

When we go back to treaties, we should think more about how this will work out. It will help to have a pre-funded, ring-fenced pool to honour adverse awards

FTAs need investment teeth if India wants global capital to come in

A combined approach of an FTA with an investment protection agreement will help India re-establish its position as an attractive destination for FDI

Net FDI jumped over fourfold to $6.58 billion in April, shows RBI data

Gross FDI inflows rose 65 per cent year-on-year, while lower repatriation by foreign investors helped push net foreign direct investment sharply higher

Emirates NBD completes acquisition of 60% majority stake in RBL Bank

UAE-based lender completes ₹26,000 crore capital infusion into RBL Bank, marking the largest foreign direct investment in India's banking sector

Turning the tide: India must address fundamental gaps in external account

Easing West Asia tensions may stabilise India's external accounts, but policymakers must focus on boosting FDI, exports and long-term capital inflows

Gross FDI may cross $100 billion in FY27: RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta

Gross FDI inflows may surpass $100 billion in FY27, RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta said, citing strong investment momentum despite global uncertainty

Foreign outflows meaningful, but not overwhelming: Citi's Kaustubh Kulkarni

Investors remain interested in India, but the AI theme is dominating global conversations, says Kulkarni

UP logs investment proposals of nearly ₹95K cr from Asian economies

Invest UP lines up Asian capital to fuel state's trillion-dollar ambition

India's outbound FDI commitments decline 10.8% to $5.6 billion in April

India's outward foreign direct investment commitments fell 10.8 per cent year-on-year in April, led by lower guarantees and debt commitments

Govt reopens narrow FDI door to China-linked funds: How it impacts startups

The revised Press Note 3 framework may speed up startup deals by allowing limited China-linked exposure through the automatic FDI route, while keeping direct Chinese investment under approval

Govt notifies 100% FDI in insurance sector under automatic route rules

The move to allow 100 per cent FDI in the insurance sector is expected to boost foreign interest in the sector

FDI in India may cross $90 billion in FY26 on strong inflows: DPIIT Secy

The total foreign direct investment (FDI) in India has crossed USD 88 billion during April-February FY26, and it is likely to reach USD 90 billion in the last fiscal, a top government official said on Thursday. DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said that the government has taken a series of measures to attract FDI. He said that during April-February 2025-26, inflows have crossed USD 88 billion and "hopefully crossing USD 90 billion" in the full fiscal 2025-26. Reform measures, free trade agreements and fast-growing economic growth are helping the country to attract healthy investments, he said.