GIFT City route to international equities promises greater security

Only sophisticated investors should take this route; most retail investors should stick to the mutual fund route for international investing

Indian investors will soon be able to invest in international stocks via the National Stock Exchange's (NSE) subsidiary exchange in GIFT City (an international financial services centre) called NSE International Exchange. The BSE plans to offer a similar facility through its GIFT City arm called India International Exchange. Currently, Indian investors can invest in international equities via the mutual fund route. They can also invest in stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) through leading brokers who have tie-ups with foreign brokers, or through specialised platforms like Globalise, Vested, etc set up specifically to provide Indian investors access to foreign equities.