Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
FDI Policy Section
Press Note No. 03 (2020 Series)
Subject: Review of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID-19 pandemic
The Government of India has reviewed the extant FDI policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and amended para 3.1.1 of extant FDI policy as contained in Consolidated FDI Policy, 2017 as under:
1. Present Position
Para 3.1.1: A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited. However, a citizen of Bangladesh or an entity incorporated in Bangladesh can invest only under the Government route. Further, a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan can invest, only under the Government route, in sectors/activities other than defence, space, atomic energy and sectors/activities prohibited for foreign investment.
2. Revised Position
Para 3.1.1:
3.1.1(a) A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited. However, an entity of a country, which shares land border with India or where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is situated in or is a citizen of any such country, can invest only under the Government route. Further, a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan can invest, only under the Government route, in sectors/activities other than defence, space, atomic energy and sectors/activities prohibited for foreign investment.
3.1.1(b) In the event of the transfer of ownership of any existing or future FDI in an entity in India, directly or indirectly, resulting in the beneficial ownership falling within the restriction/purview of the para 3.1.1(a), such subsequent change in beneficial ownership will also require Government approval.
3. The above decision will take effect from the date of FEMA notification.
(Manmeet Kaur Nanda)
Joint Secretary to the Government of India
DPIIT File No.: No.5 (5)/2020-FDI Policy, dated17/04/2020
Copy forwarded to:
1. Press Information Officer, Press Information Bureau- for giving wide publicity to the above Press Note.
2. Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, North Block, New Delhi
3. Reserve Bank of India, Foreign Exchange Department, – Mumbai
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For suitably incorporating the policy changes in Foreign Exchange Management (Non- Debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, the relevant schedules thereof and FIRMS portal.
4. NIC Section in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade – for uploading the Press Note on DPIIT’s website.
5. Hindi Section, DPIIT- for providing Hindi version.
