Indian Billionaires Buy Foreign Firms Amid Slower Growth

Indian companies are expanding aggressively overseas as domestic growth shows signs of slowing. Grant Thornton data showed that Indian firms completed 162 outbound acquisitions worth more than $18 billion in 2025, up 34% from the previous year. Several high-value deals highlighted the trend.

Sun Pharmaceutical agreed to acquire U.S. based Organon & Co for $11.75 billion, making it the largest overseas acquisition by an Indian pharma company. Tata Motors also moved to strengthen its global footprint through a $4.4 billion deal for Italian truck maker Iveco. In addition, IT company Coforge acquired Silicon Valley-based AI firm Encora for $2.35 billion, while the Bajaj Group purchased a 23% stake in Allianz SE. Analysts say Indian firms now focus less on prestige and more on technology, international revenue, research capabilities, and stronger supply chains.

Domestic Challenges Drive Indian Companies Toward Global Expansion

India continues to record strong GDP growth. However, foreign portfolio investors withdrew billions of dollars from the market in 2025. Net foreign direct investment also fell sharply, driven by higher repatriation and rising outbound flows. The government supported growth through tax cuts and production-linked incentive schemes. Even so, private-sector investment stayed weak. Corporate profits improved after Covid. However, overall capital spending in India remained below expectations.

Experts say global markets now offer easier access to capital, technology, and established business networks. In addition, Indian companies want to diversify supply chains as tariffs and geopolitical risks rise. Strong balance sheets have also given firms more confidence to make large cash-based overseas deals. Many analysts note that several Indian companies already earn significant revenue from abroad. Therefore, global expansion has become a natural strategy for growth and stability. It also reflects a broader shift as firms look beyond domestic constraints and pursue long-term competitiveness in the global economy.

Record Overseas Deals Signal a Strategic Shift for Indian Companies

The current wave of overseas deals recalls the Tata Group’s global expansion nearly two decades ago. At that time, the group acquired Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel. However, today’s strategy looks more disciplined and more business-driven. Indian companies are no longer chasing only trophy assets for global headlines. Instead, they focus on operational strength, stable overseas earnings, and access to innovation in developed markets. Grant Thornton partner Sumeet Abrol told that outbound deal values could cross $15 billion in the first half of the year.

Experts say upcoming trade agreements with the UK, Europe, and Australia may further boost outbound investments. However, global uncertainty and large cash transactions still carry risks for companies. Even so, many Indian business leaders continue to push overseas expansion. They see it as a hedge against slower domestic investment growth. In addition, they also factor in long-term currency pressure on the rupee. As a result, Indian firms are treating global expansion as a strategic shield as well as a growth opportunity.

Web resources on Indian Billionaires Buy Foreign Companies

1. BBC.com : Indian billionaires buy foreign companies as growth slows at home.
2. Eastern Eye.biz : Indian companies spent $18+ billion on overseas acquisitions in 2025.
3. Indian Weekender.co.nz : Indian billionaires turn global as growth slows at home.