India cabinet approves easing FDI norms for land border nations

India’s Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has amended Press Note 3 of 2020 to ease foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for countries sharing land borders with India, including China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. Previously, foreign companies with shareholders from these nations required mandatory government approval for investments in any sector under the policy. The amendment aims to streamline FDI inflows by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, though specific details on the revised approval process remain undisclosed.

While FDI from China constitutes a minimal share—0.32% ($2.51 billion) of total equity inflows from April 2000 to December 2025—bilateral trade between India and China has grown significantly. In 2024-25, India’s exports to China fell 14.5% to $14.25 billion, while imports rose 11.52% to $113.45 billion, widening the trade deficit to $99.2 billion. Tensions, including the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and subsequent bans on Chinese apps, have not curbed trade growth but have kept FDI from China low.

The policy shift reflects a balancing act between economic integration and geopolitical caution. Despite historical restrictions, the government has maintained that all FDI proposals from bordering nations undergo standardized scrutiny. The move aligns with broader efforts to attract global investment while managing security concerns tied to cross-border partnerships.