India Inc Sets Its Sights Abroad as Global Expansion Plans Accelerate

• 98% of Indian firms plan to expand cross-border trade or investment over five years — highest among surveyed markets.

• 86% expect higher overseas capital deployment in the next three years, well above the global average.

• 91% have revised capital allocation strategies as volatility becomes structural.

• 94% show stronger risk appetite, increasing investments in high-growth markets like UAE, UK, and Saudi Arabia.

• 71% see AI as central to global expansion, alongside rising digital finance adoption.

Indian corporations and institutional investors are significantly intensifying their international expansion strategies, with an overwhelming majority preparing to deepen cross-border trade and investment over the coming five years. A recent HSBC survey highlights this growing global ambition, even as businesses adapt their risk frameworks to manage a persistently uncertain economic environment.

According to the survey findings released on Monday, nearly 98% of Indian companies intend to increase overseas trade or capital investment within the next five years — the highest proportion recorded among all markets surveyed. The data signals a decisive outward orientation, reflecting confidence in international opportunities despite continuing global volatility.

The momentum is not limited to long-term aspirations. In the shorter term, 86% of respondents anticipate a rise in cross-border capital deployment over the next three years. This figure surpasses the global average by a considerable margin, reinforcing the view that Indian firms see sustained value in expanding their international footprint.

Ajay Sharma, Head of Banking at HSBC India, noted that the survey results go beyond a simple reaction to market turbulence. Instead, they point to a deeper transformation in how companies are identifying and securing growth. With strong domestic economic fundamentals, expanding trade corridors, and evolving global partnerships, he observed, India is positioning itself as a pivotal force in global commerce and capital flows.

Navigating Volatility with Strategic Adjustments

The survey suggests that rather than retreating in response to uncertainty, Indian businesses are proactively reshaping their strategies. About 95% of respondents believe economic instability has become a lasting characteristic of the global landscape. In response, 91% have revised their capital allocation models to better align with shifting conditions.

At the same time, corporate confidence appears to be strengthening. Nearly 94% of Indian participants indicated they are more willing to take calculated risks today than they were five years ago. This growing risk appetite reflects a strategic shift: volatility is increasingly viewed as an environment to navigate, not avoid.

Investment flows are also being redirected toward high-growth markets. Around 94% of surveyed businesses reported stepping up investments in promising international destinations. Geographical diversification is a clear priority, with the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia emerging as important hubs for future engagement.

Technology at the Core of Global Ambitions

Digital innovation is playing a central role in shaping these expansion strategies. Artificial intelligence and data infrastructure, in particular, are being embraced as critical enablers of global growth. Approximately 71% of Indian respondents identified AI as a key driver of their international plans — significantly higher than the global average.

Companies expect AI to enhance operational efficiency, support more informed decision-making, foster innovation, and elevate customer experiences. Beyond AI, digital finance is gaining traction as well. An overwhelming majority of respondents believe digital assets will transform capital markets within the next decade, and more than half have already begun implementing digital finance solutions.

A Structural Shift in Global Strategy

Taken together, the survey findings point to a fundamental change in how Indian enterprises approach globalisation. Rather than pursuing cautious, incremental moves abroad, firms are embracing assertive international expansion supported by technological investment, diversified market exposure, and a stronger tolerance for risk.

In an era where volatility is increasingly seen as the norm, Indian companies appear determined to capture a greater share of global trade and investment flows. Backed by domestic growth momentum and evolving strategic priorities, India Inc is charting a more confident and expansive path on the world stage.