'Heavy selling by FPIs likely due to India's good returns'

Govt to continue to rationalize duties as part of its efforts to build an investor-friendly nation

- Shayan Ghosh

The heavy selling by foreign investors could be a result of their investments in India delivering good returns and allowing for profit-booking, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at a post-Budget media briefing on Monday.

The finance minister also said the government would continue to rationalize duties as part of its efforts to build an investor-friendly country—an important assertion in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs.

India's benchmark Nifty 50 and Sensex indices snapped an eight-day losing streak on Monday as sustained selling pressure had created opportunities for investors to capitalize on the market correction.

This year, up to 14 February, FPIs have been net sellers of $12 billion in Indian equities, as per data from National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL). In 2024, FPIs were net buyers of $124 million in equities in the domestic market.