India, Sept. 27 -- DPIIT data shows India attracted $57.2 billion in FDI equity in 2025. More than half was reported in just two locations: 'New Mumbai' and 'Bangalore Urban,' accounting for 27.54% and 22.96%, respectively.

The economic case for FDI is not that foreign money crosses the border, but the new capital it adds to the recipient economy. From this arises the productivity dividend, which comes when investment adds technology, managerial capability, supplier linkages, exports, R&D and productive assets. The same competitiveness that attracts such capital can then be strengthened by it. However, the latest district-level data on FDI inflows released by DPIIT shows large regional divergences in India in where FDI comes from, both a...