New Delhi – Delhi’s economic team is fast‑tracking a drive to expand India’s web of bilateral investment agreements. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the administration intends to conclude deals with at least three new partners before the close of 2026.
Revised template to guide upcoming accords
India’s inaugural BIT model, adopted in 2016, is under a comprehensive review aimed at striking a better balance between strong investor safeguards and the nation’s policy flexibility. After roughly a year‑and‑a‑half of work, a modernised treaty framework is slated for Cabinet endorsement in the coming weeks.
The new template will act as a shared foundation for future talks while still permitting each agreement to reflect the particular priorities of the counterpart country. Recent pacts with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman already feature clauses that the government feels are better suited to today’s investment climate.
Canada and Russia feature in active negotiations
Discussions with Canada are progressing, and Sitharaman hinted that a Canada‑India BIT could be signed by December or, at the latest, early next year. Parallel talks are also under way with Russia, a long‑standing trading ally in energy, transport and defence. An investment‑protection treaty would cement that relationship by adding a formal dispute‑resolution mechanism.
Why the renewed push for BITs?
Bilateral investment treaties give foreign investors confidence that their capital will be shielded and that any disputes will be resolved through agreed‑upon channels. By updating the template and courting new partners, India hopes to showcase a more predictable investment climate and attract additional overseas capital.
In recent years, India has already ratified BITs with a handful of nations, including Israel, Uzbekistan and the UAE, according to the Department of Economic Affairs. With multiple negotiations proceeding side by side, officials are confident that at least three more treaties will be sealed by December, while talks with Canada could stretch into early 2027 if needed.
