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Business Standard
06-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Active negotiations under way with over a dozen countries to finalise BIT
India is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Oman, European Union, Switzerland, Russia, and Australia, a government official said. Besides these nations, talks are underway with Tajikistan, Cambodia, Uruguay, Maldives, Switzerland, and Kuwait. These investment treaties help in protecting and promoting investments in each other's countries. With India approaching to become the third-largest economy and a hub for global manufacturing, the government is taking a series of measures to further improve its investment regime that encourages investors. "It is expected that in the next 3-6 months, BIT with some of these countries will be finalised and announced," the official added. The government in the last Budget has announced revamping the current model Bilateral Investment Treaty to make it more investor-friendly and attract foreign players. The country signed BITs with two countries in 2024. Last year, the Centre announced implementation of these treaties with the UAE and Uzbekistan. Unlike a chapter related to investment promotion or facilitation in free trade agreements recently concluded, the investment protection element under a BIT provides a wide range of obligations and commitments bestowed upon foreign investors, which are expansive in nature. In a BIT, the provision of mandatory exhaustion of local legal remedies for a period of five years before resorting to international arbitration is beneficial for both the investor and the state involved in a dispute. India's approach of requiring local remedies aligns with its stance to protect taxpayer money and avoid prolonged and costly legal battles, while simultaneously providing arbitration as an alternate dispute resolution mechanism to investors. Recently, India reduced the time period of local remedy to three years under the India-UAE BIT 2024. "India remains committed to negotiating agreements that safeguard its economic interests while balancing investor confidence and domestic policy space," another official said. There is an ambitious effort of reconstructing India's BIT network to pre-2015 levels on renewed terms and consistent negotiations with a wide range of partners, with balance of interests between investors and the host state. At the same time, India has committed to well-recognised international standards of protection and beyond to afford a stable investment protection framework for foreign investors. Commenting on BITs, Rumki Majumdar, Economist, Deloitte India, said these pacts will offer the country a unique advantage by enabling India to craft highly customised partnerships based on mutual strengths. "Unlike multilateral frameworks, which often require compromises to suit a broad group of nations, bilateral treaties will allow India for case-by-case negotiation, ensuring that the terms reflect the specific economic complementarities between itself and its partner countries," she said. Majumdar added that India should focus on BITs as not just legal instruments, they must be strategic economic enablers, helping India jointly unlock higher value from its comparative and competitive advantages. According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, India must "pull out all the stops" and improve tax certainty and stability to attract more foreign direct investments into the country. FDI inflows into India crossed the $1 trillion milestone in the April 2000-March 2025 period, firmly establishing the country's reputation as a safe and key investment destination globally. Last fiscal year, it stood at $81 billion. About 25 per cent of the FDI came through the Mauritius route. It was followed by Singapore (24 per cent), the US (10 per cent), the Netherlands (7 per cent), Japan (6 per cent), the UK (5 per cent), the UAE (3 per cent) and Cayman Islands, Germany and Cyprus accounted for 2 per cent each. The key sectors attracting the maximum of these inflows include the services segment, computer software and hardware, telecommunications, trading, construction development, automobile, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BIT network expansion in fast lane: India in talks with 12+ nations; Saudi Arabia, Russia among priority partners
AI image India is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with more than a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Oman, the European Union, Switzerland, Russia, and Australia, a senior government official said. Talks are also underway with Tajikistan, Cambodia, Uruguay, Maldives, Switzerland, and Kuwait, with some treaties likely to be finalised and announced in the next 3–6 months, PTI reported. These agreements are aimed at protecting and promoting investments in each other's countries. As India moves toward becoming the world's third-largest economy and a global manufacturing hub, the government is working to strengthen its investment regime and attract more foreign investors. In line with this, the government announced in the last Budget that it would revamp its current model BIT to make it more investor-friendly. India signed BITs with two countries in 2024 and implemented BITs with the UAE and Uzbekistan in 2023. Unlike investment facilitation chapters in free trade agreements, BITs offer broader investor protections, including a wide range of obligations enforceable by international arbitration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Искате да научите повече за новото BMW 2 Gran Coupe? BMW Научете повече Undo Notably, India has a provision requiring foreign investors to exhaust local legal remedies before seeking international arbitration — a clause designed to protect public funds and reduce legal costs. Under the India-UAE BIT signed this year, the mandatory waiting period for local remedies was shortened from five years to three, indicating a flexible yet cautious approach. "India remains committed to negotiating agreements that safeguard its economic interests while balancing investor confidence and domestic policy space," another government official said, quoted PTI. The broader goal is to rebuild India's BIT ecosystem to pre-2015 levels but on modernised terms. India is seeking a balance of interests between investors and host state obligations while aligning with global protection standards to offer a stable framework for foreign capital. Deloitte India economist Rumki Majumdar said BITs give India the opportunity to pursue tailored partnerships based on complementary strengths, without the compromise typically required in multilateral deals. 'Bilateral treaties will allow India for case-by-case negotiation, ensuring that the terms reflect the specific economic complementarities between itself and its partner countries,' she said. Majumdar also emphasised that BITs should not be treated as mere legal tools but as 'strategic economic enablers' to unlock greater value from India's competitive and comparative advantages. According to the Economic Survey 2024–25, India must 'pull out all the stops' to improve tax certainty and regulatory stability if it is to boost FDI inflows. Foreign direct investment into India crossed the $1 trillion mark in the April 2000–March 2025 period, reinforcing its image as a safe and attractive global investment destination. In FY25 alone, FDI stood at $81 billion. Mauritius accounted for 25% of the inflows, followed by Singapore (24%), the US (10%), the Netherlands (7%), Japan (6%), the UK (5%), and the UAE (3%). Germany, Cyprus, and the Cayman Islands accounted for 2% each. The sectors drawing the most FDI included services, computer software and hardware, telecom, trading, construction development, automobiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Active negotiations on with over dozen countries for finalising bilateral investment treaties: Official
India is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Oman, European Union, Switzerland, Russia, and Australia, a government official said. Besides these nations, talks are underway with Tajikistan, Cambodia, Uruguay, Maldives, Switzerland, and Kuwait. These investment treaties help in protecting and promoting investments in each other's countries. With India approaching to become the third-largest economy and a hub for global manufacturing , the government is taking a series of measures to further improve its investment regime that encourages investors. "It is expected that in the next 3-6 months, BIT with some of these countries will be finalised and announced," the official added. Live Events The government in the last Budget has announced revamping the current model Bilateral Investment Treaty to make it more investor-friendly and attract foreign players. The country signed BITs with two countries in 2024. Last year, the Centre announced implementation of these treaties with the UAE and Uzbekistan. Unlike a chapter related to investment promotion or facilitation in free trade agreements recently concluded, the investment protection element under a BIT provides a wide range of obligations and commitments bestowed upon foreign investors, which are expansive in nature. In a BIT, the provision of mandatory exhaustion of local legal remedies for a period of five years before resorting to international arbitration is beneficial for both the investor and the state involved in a dispute. India's approach of requiring local remedies aligns with its stance to protect taxpayer money and avoid prolonged and costly legal battles, while simultaneously providing arbitration as an alternate dispute resolution mechanism to investors. Recently, India reduced the time period of local remedy to three years under the India-UAE BIT 2024. "India remains committed to negotiating agreements that safeguard its economic interests while balancing investor confidence and domestic policy space," another official said. There is an ambitious effort of reconstructing India's BIT network to pre-2015 levels on renewed terms and consistent negotiations with a wide range of partners, with balance of interests between investors and the host state. At the same time, India has committed to well-recognised international standards of protection and beyond to afford a stable investment protection framework for foreign investors. Commenting on BITs, Rumki Majumdar, Economist , Deloitte India, said these pacts will offer the country a unique advantage by enabling India to craft highly customised partnerships based on mutual strengths. "Unlike multilateral frameworks, which often require compromises to suit a broad group of nations, bilateral treaties will allow India for case-by-case negotiation, ensuring that the terms reflect the specific economic complementarities between itself and its partner countries," she said. Majumdar added that India should focus on BITs as not just legal instruments, they must be strategic economic enablers, helping India jointly unlock higher value from its comparative and competitive advantages. According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, India must "pull out all the stops" and improve tax certainty and stability to attract more foreign direct investments into the country. FDI inflows into India crossed the USD 1 trillion milestone in the April 2000-March 2025 period, firmly establishing the country's reputation as a safe and key investment destination globally. Last fiscal year, it stood at USD 81 billion. About 25 per cent of the FDI came through the Mauritius route. It was followed by Singapore (24 percent), the US (10 per cent), the Netherlands (7 per cent), Japan (6 per cent), the UK (5 percent), the UAE (3 per cent) and Cayman Islands, Germany and Cyprus accounted for 2 per cent each. The key sectors attracting the maximum of these inflows include the services segment, computer software and hardware, telecommunications, trading, construction development, automobile, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Mint
06-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Active negotiations on with over dozen countries for finalising BIT: Official
New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) India is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Oman, European Union, Switzerland, Russia, and Australia, a government official said. Besides these nations, talks are underway with Tajikistan, Cambodia, Uruguay, Maldives, Switzerland, and Kuwait. These investment treaties help in protecting and promoting investments in each other's countries. With India approaching to become the third-largest economy and a hub for global manufacturing, the government is taking a series of measures to further improve its investment regime that encourages investors. "It is expected that in the next 3-6 months, BIT with some of these countries will be finalised and announced," the official added. The government in the last Budget has announced revamping the current model Bilateral Investment Treaty to make it more investor-friendly and attract foreign players. The country signed BITs with two countries in 2024. Last year, the Centre announced implementation of these treaties with the UAE and Uzbekistan. Unlike a chapter related to investment promotion or facilitation in free trade agreements recently concluded, the investment protection element under a BIT provides a wide range of obligations and commitments bestowed upon foreign investors, which are expansive in nature. In a BIT, the provision of mandatory exhaustion of local legal remedies for a period of five years before resorting to international arbitration is beneficial for both the investor and the state involved in a dispute. India's approach of requiring local remedies aligns with its stance to protect taxpayer money and avoid prolonged and costly legal battles, while simultaneously providing arbitration as an alternate dispute resolution mechanism to investors. Recently, India reduced the time period of local remedy to three years under the India-UAE BIT 2024. "India remains committed to negotiating agreements that safeguard its economic interests while balancing investor confidence and domestic policy space," another official said. There is an ambitious effort of reconstructing India's BIT network to pre-2015 levels on renewed terms and consistent negotiations with a wide range of partners, with balance of interests between investors and the host state. At the same time, India has committed to well-recognised international standards of protection and beyond to afford a stable investment protection framework for foreign investors. Commenting on BITs, Rumki Majumdar, Economist, Deloitte India, said these pacts will offer the country a unique advantage by enabling India to craft highly customised partnerships based on mutual strengths. "Unlike multilateral frameworks, which often require compromises to suit a broad group of nations, bilateral treaties will allow India for case-by-case negotiation, ensuring that the terms reflect the specific economic complementarities between itself and its partner countries," she said. Majumdar added that India should focus on BITs as not just legal instruments, they must be strategic economic enablers, helping India jointly unlock higher value from its comparative and competitive advantages. According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, India must "pull out all the stops" and improve tax certainty and stability to attract more foreign direct investments into the country. FDI inflows into India crossed the USD 1 trillion milestone in the April 2000-March 2025 period, firmly establishing the country's reputation as a safe and key investment destination globally. Last fiscal year, it stood at USD 81 billion. About 25 per cent of the FDI came through the Mauritius route. It was followed by Singapore (24 per cent), the US (10 per cent), the Netherlands (7 per cent), Japan (6 per cent), the UK (5 per cent), the UAE (3 per cent) and Cayman Islands, Germany and Cyprus accounted for 2 per cent each. The key sectors attracting the maximum of these inflows include the services segment, computer software and hardware, telecommunications, trading, construction development, automobile, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Singapore remains India's top FDI source for 7th consecutive year
NEW DELHI: Singapore continued to be India's top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the seventh year in a row, with inflows touching $15 billion in 2024-25. Overall, overseas equity inflows rose by 13% to $50 billion during the last fiscal year. The total FDI, that included equity inflows, reinvested earnings and other capital, reached $81.04 billion during the last financial year. This marks a 14% rise from the previous year and is the highest FDI level in the last three years. Singapore's FDI contribution increased to $14.94 billion in 2024-25 from $11.77 billion in 2023-24, as per official government data. Singapore represented approximately 19 per cent of total inflows in 2024-25. Singapore has held the top position for FDI into India since 2018-19. Previously, in 2017-18, Mauritius was the leading source of such investments. The previous fiscal year saw Mauritius contributing $8.34 billion in foreign inflows. For 2024-25, other significant contributors included the US ($5.45 billion), the Netherlands ($4.62 billion), the UAE ($3.12 billion), Japan ($2.47 billion), Cyprus ($1.2 billion), the UK ($795 million), Germany ($469 million), and Cayman Islands ($371 million). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Soluções confiáveis para centros de dados IA Siemens Energy Read More Undo Specialists note that Singapore's status as an international financial centre, its strong bilateral relations with India, and its function as an access point for international private equity and venture capital contribute to its significant investment position. "Despite turmoil in the capital markets and uncertainties around trade, India has managed to attract huge investments, which are stable and long-term," Rumki Majumdar, Economist, Deloitte India told PTI. "Given that Asia is the second largest region to receive foreign capital inflows, a large part of the funds come from Singapore. There are quite a few reasons for that. One, being a low-tax jurisdiction and with a robust legal framework, Singapore is considered the strategic financial gateway to Asia," she said. The Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between both countries enables Singapore-based organisations to invest in India whilst reducing their total tax burden on Indian-earned income, Majumdar noted. These international investments are essential for India's infrastructure development, including ports, airports and highways, to stimulate growth. Additionally, FDI supports the improvement of the country's balance of payments and strengthens the rupee against other international currencies, particularly the US dollar. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
