India’s Net FDI Declines to $1.4 Billion in 2024-25 Amid Rising Outward Investments

From April 2023–January 2024 India received $11.5 billion in FDI which reduced to only $1.4 billion during the period from April 2024–January 2025. The decreased FDI flow comes from investor repatriation combined with fast-growing Indian company overseas investment. Gross FDI inflows demonstrated a growth of 12.4% which reached $67.7 billion during this period. Greenfield FDI projects ranked India as the second most attractive destination for foreign investment throughout the global market despite its present economic downturn. Three major FDI-receiving industries in India consist of manufacturing together with financial services and renewable energy.

Key Points

India’s Net FDI Decline: An Overview

• Net FDI: Declined from $11.5 billion to $1.4 billion.

• Gross FDI: Increased by 12.4% to $67.7 billion.

• Repatriation/Disinvestment: Increased from $36.9 billion to $46.1 billion.

• Outward FDI (by Indian firms): The volume of foreign investment initiated by Indian companies increased from $20.2 billion to $11.8 billion.

• The overall decrease in net FDI happens because Indian firms invest more outside the country along with rising capital repatriation.

Sectoral Breakdown: Top Industries Receiving FDI

• Manufacturing became the sector which acquired the largest amount of FDI equity inflows.

• Other key sectors:

  • Financial services

  • Electricity and energy

  • Communication services

  • Infrastructure

Top Investing Countries

• The Indian market absorbed FDI investments overall of 75% from various sources: 

  • Singapore

  • Mauritius

  • United States (US)

  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)

  • Netherlands

• These countries have established continuous support for India's economic development.

India’s Global FDI Ranking: Greenfield Investments

• Greenfield Investments put India in the 2nd position globally among FDI receivers.

• The country achieved the runner-up position in greenfield FDI projects during 2024 after the United States.

• The country elevated its global ranking to the second-place position during 2024.

• India received $100 billion greenfield FDI which made up 6% of the $1.8 trillion total global FDI activities.

Emerging Sectors: FDI Trends

• Globally, key FDI sectors in 2024 were:

  • Renewable energy

  • Communication services

  • Semiconductors

  • Metals

• The Indian market received most Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into 3 main sectors:

  • Metals

  • Renewable energy

  • Semiconductors

• The 3 sectors represented 60% of the total FDI projects that were announced throughout 2024.

Conclusion

The steady decline in net FDI does not affect India's position as an influential market for foreign investment transactions. The nation holds a strong position with investors because it positions as the world's second-largest recipient of greenfield investment and also welcomes increased gross flows of foreign direct investment. The rising amount of funds sent home by investors combined with growing outward foreign direct investment demonstrates a fundamental change in worldwide business practices. The government needs to implement strategic policy measures that will preserve foreign investment and achieve balanced capital flows to maintain long-term economic development.