Indian cos get repatriated dividend of $4 bn in last three fiscals

$1.2 bn profit was made in the last three financial years by Indian firms making investments abroad

As much as $4.03 billion was repatriated as dividend and $1.2 billion profit was made in the last three financial years by Indian firms making investments abroad.

"During the last three years, from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2014, $4,028.06 million was repatriated as dividend and $1,204.78 million as profit by these companies," according to official data.

The Indian firms made total investment of $271.02 billion during this period.

As many as 7,430 firms have been investing in foreign countries, according to the data.

These kind of investments made by Indian companies abroad are either under the automatic route or the approval route.

Such companies can make investments overseas by way of contribution to the capital or subscription to the memorandum of a foreign entity or by way of purchase of existing shares of a foreign entity either by market purchase or private placement or through stock exchange.

However, with respect to countries such as Pakistan investment is allowed under the approval route only.

Investments in Nepal can be only in Indian rupees. Investments in Bhutan are allowed in Indian Rupees and in freely convertible currencies.

In June this year, overseas direct investment by Indian firms rose by over 60.7% year-on-year to $5.03 billion.