Question

UPSC Prelims 2020 Question:

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

  1. 1. It is the investment through capital instruments essentially in a listed company.
  2. 2. It is a largely non-debt creating capital flow.
  3. 3. It is the investment which involves debt-servicing.
  4. 4. It is the investment made by foreign institutional investors in the Government Securities.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2: It is a largely non-debt creating capital flow.

Detailed Solution

Explanation: 

  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is the investment through equity instruments by a person resident outside India in either of the two:

  • An unlisted Indian company

  • 10% or more of the post issue paid-up equity capital on a fully diluted basis of a listed Indian company

  • A debt flow is a type of foreign capital where there is obligation for the residents to repay it. A non-debt flow is the one where there is no direct repayment obligation for the residents. For example, in the case of FDI, there is no debt payment obligation.

  • Debt servicing is the regular repayment of a debt's interest and principal over a certain period of time. FDI does not require paying off debt.

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Economics | Foreign Trade and Investment

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