In a significant development for overseas Indians, the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) has launched a new platform that allows Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Indian retail investors to access stocks across 30 global markets from a single account.
Operating out of GIFT City, India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), the exchange’s latest offering enables investments in major markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and parts of Europe. The platform supports fractional share purchases, making it easier for investors to buy high-value global stocks without committing large sums of capital.
What This Means for NRIs
For NRIs, the move simplifies global diversification while keeping investments within an Indian regulatory framework. Instead of routing funds through foreign brokerages in jurisdictions such as Singapore or Mauritius, investors can now operate through an India-based international exchange structure.
Market participants say the initiative could attract stronger participation from the Indian diaspora, particularly professionals in North America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia who are seeking both global exposure and regulatory familiarity.
The fully digital onboarding process is also expected to reduce paperwork and compliance hurdles traditionally associated with cross-border investments.
Tax Clarity Adds Confidence
The development comes amid growing attention to NRI taxation. Recently, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in Ahmedabad ruled that salary earned overseas and deposited in a Non-Resident External (NRE) account is not taxable in India, even if later transferred to a domestic bank account. The ruling has been widely viewed as a positive signal for overseas earners concerned about dual taxation.
Together, the expanded investment access and improved tax clarity could strengthen India’s appeal as a financial hub for its global diaspora.
Growing Role of GIFT City
GIFT City has been steadily positioning itself as a gateway for international finance. Authorities aim to channel a larger share of offshore Indian wealth back through domestic financial infrastructure, reducing dependence on overseas investment routes.
With millions of Indians living abroad and contributing significantly to remittances and foreign investment flows, policymakers see diaspora engagement as central to India’s long-term economic strategy.
Industry observers expect further product launches in the IFSC space over the coming months, including expanded derivatives and debt market offerings tailored specifically for overseas investors.
