Abstract:Oh! Call it the geopolitical crisis that plagued global economies or the lack of investor confidence in India’s domestic markets, the country’s net foreign direct investment (FDI) has been falling sharply over the last two years. According to a report published in Times of India, a reputed English journal, the net FDI to India has fallen significantly from $28 billion to $1 billion in two years.

Oh! Call it the geopolitical crisis that plagued global economies or the lack of investor confidence in India‘s domestic markets, the country’s net foreign direct investment (FDI) has been falling sharply over the last two years. According to a report published in Times of India, a reputed English journal, the net FDI to India has fallen significantly from $28 billion to $1 billion in two years.
The first nine months of the fiscal year 2025-26 saw the inflow of just $3 billion into India. The previous 2024-25 fiscal witnessed an FDI inflow and outflow of $81 billion and $80 billion, resulting in a net inflow of a meagre $1 billion.
The dazzling numbers paint a disturbing picture of Indias net FDI book, especially as the country looks to navigate amid a Middle East conflict-led uncertain economic scenario.
Yes, you heard it right! The stock market surge after 2021 made many foreign companies list across the countrys markets. Following the listing, many of these companies transferred a large chunk of funds to the home country as repatriation and disinvestment. Similar outflows happened when Indian companies invested overseas. The biggest outflow has, however, come from foreign investors who send their money back to the home country after exits, profits or stake sales. This outflow was recorded to be $44.6 billion between April and December 2025.
| Inflow Route | Inflow Amount | Outflow Route | Outflow Amount |
| RBI/Automatic Route | $34.6 Billion | Repatriation/Disinvestment | $44.6 Billion |
| Reinvested Earnings | $18.6 Billion | Equity Capital | $15.8 Billion |
| Share Acquisition | $11.6 Billion | ||
| Government Route | $1.7 Billion | ||
| Others | $7.1 Billion |
Foreign investors are putting their money basically on services, software, manufacturing and trading in India. Indian firms investing abroad, on the other hand, are enhancing their investments across, finance, business services, trade and manufacturing. This investment behavior indicates different mindsets of corporations when looking to invest in India and outside of it. Singapore and Mauritius continue to be the most preferred route through which the FDI comes to India. These countries have gone beyond being just source countries. They have become global routes for firms seeking favorable tax, treaty and corporate structure.
Check out the table below highlighting the percentage share of inflow and outflow across sectors.
| Inflow Across Sectors | Share of FDI Inflow | Outflow Across Sectors | Share of FDI Outflow |
| Non-conventional Energy | 5.3% | Agriculture Mining | 6.5% |
| Food Processing Industries | 5.7% | Wholesale, Retail, Trade, Hotels | 10.3% |
| Trading | 7% | Transport and Communication | 11.6% |
| Services | 17.6% | Financial, Insurance and Business Services | 40.3% |
| Computer Software & Hardware | 22.4% | Manufacturing | 18.1% |
Indias sharp decline in net FDI—from $28 billion to just $1 billion within two years—highlights a significant shift in the country's foreign investment landscape. While gross inflows remain robust, rising repatriation, disinvestment, and overseas expansion by both foreign and Indian companies have largely offset these gains. The trend suggests that attracting capital is no longer India's primary challenge; retaining long-term investments has become equally important.
The data also reveals a changing investment pattern, with foreign investors focusing on services, software, manufacturing, and trading, while Indian firms increasingly seek opportunities abroad in finance, business services, and manufacturing. As global economic uncertainty persists and geopolitical tensions continue to influence capital flows, policymakers may need to strengthen investor confidence, improve the ease of doing business, and create incentives for long-term reinvestment. The future trajectory of India's net FDI will depend not only on its ability to attract foreign capital but also on its success in ensuring that a larger share of that capital remains invested within the country.
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