India is rapidly establishing itself as a global AI leader, with 91% of Indian organisations increasing AI investment over the past year, significantly exceeding both the APAC average of 85% and the global average of 81% according to Autodesk's AI Pulse Report 2026. The report reveals that 63% of Indian businesses now use AI assistants and chatbots, the highest adoption rate in APAC, with no surveyed organisation reported operating without AI tools. 93% of Indian respondents believe their organisation can keep business data secure while using AI, the highest level recorded globally, while 87% are actively exploring new markets, making India the most expansion-focused country among all markets surveyed.
The global immigration landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift as countries increasingly prioritize entrepreneurs and skilled professionals over passive investors. According to Business Standard reports, Saif Nawaz, Founder and Managing Partner of OnDemand International, explains that immigration models are moving from capital-linked residency to activity-linked residency. Governments now seek genuine business activity, employment, and economic contribution rather than simply passive investment. This transformation means that Indian founders no longer focus solely on where they can obtain residency through capital deployment, but rather where they can establish genuine businesses, create employment, and build sustainable international operations.
The approach to international expansion should begin with business fundamentals rather than visa requirements, as noted by Business Standard analysis. Nawaz emphasizes that founders should start by determining where customers are located, where employees will be based, where revenue will be generated, and where physical presence is required. This strategic approach differs from the traditional method of choosing countries based on easiest residency availability. For entrepreneurs with businesses already expanding internationally, moving abroad doesn't necessarily mean relocating the entire operation out of India, as they can maintain engineering, product development, and back-office functions in India while establishing sales and customer-facing operations in other markets.
India's demographic profile and business resilience create significant value for destination countries seeking to attract new businesses and investment. As reported by Business Standard, Europe's median age is over 44 while India's is under 30, making Indian entrepreneurs particularly attractive. Nawaz explains that Indian promoters bring equity, an operating team, a supply chain back home, and a customer network across the diaspora. He notes that Indian businesses tend to survive through various challenges including currency shocks, GST transitions, demonetization, and pandemics, giving them valuable experience that regulators and banks in mature markets recognize as operational expertise.
India's commitment to outward foreign direct investment reflects a significant shift in business strategy and global presence. According to Business Standard data, India's outward FDI commitments reached ₹48.6 billion in FY26, up from ₹43.7 billion in FY25. Nawaz emphasizes that this represents more than just formal routed numbers, noting that thousands of small and mid-sized promoters are setting up subsidiaries, branches, and warehouses under the liberalized ODI framework without headline attention. The composition has evolved from conglomerates buying distressed assets to ₹40-crore auto components manufacturers opening Poland warehouses, IT services firms establishing Amsterdam operations, and recycling businesses obtaining Spanish licenses.
The choice of international destination depends on specific business requirements rather than universal country rankings. As reported by Business Standard, the UAE appeals to founders seeking proximity to India and Middle Eastern market access, while European jurisdictions offer access to larger single markets and different business opportunities. Singapore remains attractive for Asia-targeting businesses, and Australia and Canada have established skilled and entrepreneurial migration pathways. Nawaz notes that Indian professionals are positioned centrally in this global competition, being English-speaking, often multilingual, technically trained, and internationally deployable across various markets.
