Govt. amends Foreign Direct Investment policy to check opportunistic takeovers/ acquisitions of Indian companies due to 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.
It is believed that this step has been taken to guard against any such moves by any country particularly ChinaÂ
The existing and amended para 3.1.1 of FDI policy 2017 are as under:
| Existing Para | Amended/Revised Para |
| 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. |
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. Â |
The  above  decision  will  take  effect  from  the  date  of  FEMA notification.
Download Order Click Here >>Â
- RBI specifies ‘Related Party’ with respect to banks
- Advisory on Filing Opt-In Declaration for Specified Premises, 2025
- FAQs for HSNS Cess Act, 2025 and HSNS Cess Rules, 2026
- Refusing to condone delay can result in a meritorious matter thrown out at threshold
- Prior period income cannot be considered as income of the current year
