By Madhusudan Sahoo
New Delhi: In a move to mutually protect and promote investments in each other鈥檚 countries, India is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Oman, European Union, Switzerland, Russia, and Australia. Apart from these nations, talks are also underway with Tajikistan, Cambodia, Uruguay, Maldives, Switzerland and Kuwait, according to a source. Amid uncertainties over US President Donal Trump鈥檚 reciprocal tariff, India is making its all-out efforts to remain in the fastest growing economy in the world. With India approaching other nations to make the country a global manufacturing hub, the government is taking a series of measures to further improve its investment regime that encourages investors. 鈥淏IT with some of these countries is likely to be finalised and announced in the next 3-6 months,鈥 the source said. The government in the last Budget has announced revamping the current model of BITs to make it more investor-friendly and attract foreign players. India had signed BITs with two countries in 2024. Last year, the Centre announced implementation of these treaties with the UAE and Uzbekistan. Unlike a chapter related to investment promotion or facilitation in free trade agreements recently concluded, the investment protection element under a BIT provides a wide range of obligations and commitments bestowed upon foreign investors, which are expansive in nature. 鈥淚ndia remains committed to negotiating agreements that safeguard its economic interests while balancing investor confidence and domestic policy space,鈥 the source said. There is an ambitious effort of reconstructing India’s BIT network to pre-2015 levels on renewed terms and consistent negotiations with a wide range of partners, with a balance of interests between investors and the host state. At the same time, India has committed to well-recognised international standards of protection and beyond to afford a stable investment protection framework for foreign investors. 鈥淭hese BITs will offer the country a unique advantage by enabling India to craft highly customised partnerships based on mutual strengths. Unlike multilateral frameworks, which often require compromises to suit a broad group of nations, bilateral treaties will allow India for case-by-case negotiation, ensuring that the terms reflect the specific economic complementarities between itself and its partner countries,鈥 said Rumki Majumdar, economist, Deloitte India. As per the latest data, the FDI inflows into India crossed the $1-trillion milestone in the April 2000-March 2025 period, firmly establishing the country’s reputation as a safe and key investment destination globally. 鈥淚ndia should focus on BITs as not just legal instruments; they must be strategic economic enablers, helping India jointly unlock higher value from its comparative and competitive advantages,鈥 Majumdar added.