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India’s global investing footprint has expanded sharply over the past few years, with overseas investments rising fourfold from $400 million in 2021 to more than $1.6 billion by 2025, according to the How India Invests Globally – 2025 report released by Vested Finance. The data highlights a clear structural shift in how Indian investors approach international markets, moving beyond occasional foreign stock purchases toward deliberate, long-term global portfolio allocation. Global participation expands beyond metros The surge in overseas investing is no longer limited to major urban centres. Investors from more than 145 cities now participate in global markets, with Tier II and Tier III cities accounting for 47 percent of India’s global investor base. This reflects broader access to global platforms and rising awareness of international diversification across the country. Vested’s anonymised platform data shows that investors are increasingly building diversified portfolios rather than relying on single high-risk bets, signalling growing maturity in global financial planning. Young Indian Investors Drive the Shift Toward Global Investing Demographics remain a defining feature of India’s global investing trend. Nearly half of Indian global investors, 48 percent, are under the age of 35, while 38 percent begin their journey with an initial investment of less than $500. This points to a digitally fluent generation that prefers starting small and scaling exposure gradually. The World Economic Forum Global Retail Investor Outlook 2025, notes that the median global portfolio size stands at $10,465, with average deposits of $1,634 among retail investors, while high-net-worth investors enter global markets with significantly larger initial allocations averaging $23,807. ETF adoption has become mainstream, with more than 80 percent of investors holding at least one exchange-traded fund. Index ETFs account for 27 percent of ETF exposure, while emerging market ETFs make up 7 percent of overall allocations. Stocks Dominate While ETFs Help Indian Investors Balance Global Portfolios Stocks remain the primary vehicle for global exposure, accounting for 68 percent of investments from India. ETFs follow at 24 percent, while cash and global mutual funds make up the remaining share. Notably, 66 percent of investors allocate capital to both stocks and ETFs, underscoring a balanced approach that blends growth-oriented equities with diversified instruments. The average investor holds around eight global stocks, suggesting a focused but intentional portfolio structure. In the Vested Finance report quoted above, 61 percent of total investments are concentrated in the top 10 most-held stocks and ETFs on the Vested platform. The list below reflects the top 10 individual stocks, excluding ETFs, most commonly held by Indian investors. Top global stock holdings by Indian investors Based on Vested platform data, the most widely held global stocks, ranked by popularity, are: NVIDIA Tesla Apple Meta Platforms Alphabet Microsoft Amazon Palantir Broadcom Advanced Micro Devices These companies appeal to Indian investors due to their dominance in foundational technologies, global supply chains, and long-term innovation trends. Why Indian Investors Are Investing in Global Markets Global investing is no longer a side strategy for Indian investors. What stands out is the behavioural shift toward disciplined allocation, longer holding periods, and a clear preference for quality global assets over short-term speculation. Younger investors, broader participation beyond metros, and improved access to international markets are reinforcing this transition. From my perspective, this marks a meaningful evolution in investor maturity. Indian investors are not just chasing overseas returns; they are deliberately using global exposure to manage risk, diversify income streams, and build resilient portfolios aligned with long-term financial goals. That change in mindset, more than the headline numbers, is what defines this trend. How can Indian investors invest in global markets? Indian investors can access global markets through regulated platforms that offer overseas stocks, ETFs, and funds using RBI-compliant remittance frameworks. Are global investments riskier than Indian investments? Global investments carry currency and geopolitical risks, but they can reduce overall portfolio risk by spreading exposure across economies, sectors, and currencies. Why do Indian investors prefer US stocks for global investing? US stocks attract Indian investors due to strong corporate governance, global market leadership, consistent earnings visibility, and exposure to advanced technologies like AI and cloud computing. Do investors need large capital to start global investing? No, many platforms allow Indian investors to start global investing with small amounts, often under $500, making overseas exposure accessible to first-time and young investors.