China FDI: Door opens but the Great Wall stays

Swaminathan S Anklesaria AiyarTNN
Mar 14, 2026 | 18:19 IST
Press Note 3 easing doesn’t include EV makers like BYD, GWD. Allowing Chinese investment will give us leverage during border problems

India's revised Press Note 3 aims to ease Chinese investment but retains strict joint venture rules, limiting FDI. This approach, seen as economically self-defeating, overlooks China's technological prowess and global investment patterns. Experts argue controlled Chinese investment, not exclusion, could actually enhance India's security leverage.

The govt has liberalised Press Note 3, an executive device to kill Chinese investment proposals through unending security scrutiny. But strong constraints remain that will keep Chinese FDI very low. This reveals muddled thinking on both economics and security.

China today has the greatest pool of savings in the world and the best technology in several areas including solar energy, wind energy, electric vehicles, and batteries. To keep out investment from such an important source is an economic self-goal.
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