Can Indian Investors Finally Buy US Stocks More Easily?
India’s international investing landscape is set for a major transformation.
Leading stockbroking platforms Zerodha, Groww, Angel One and Upstox have received approvals to offer international stock investing through GIFT City, creating a regulated and potentially lower-cost pathway for Indian investors seeking exposure to global markets.
According to reports, the services are expected to go live within the next two to three months once the platforms complete technology integrations, testing procedures and regulatory compliance requirements.
The development marks one of the most significant expansions of investment access for retail investors and could dramatically increase participation in overseas markets.
Why Is GIFT City Becoming India’s Global Investment Hub?
The International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City has emerged as India’s primary gateway for cross-border financial services.
In August 2025, GIFT City introduced the Global Access Provider (GAP) framework, designed to simplify international investing while reducing costs and regulatory complexities for Indian investors.
One of the biggest attractions of the framework is the elimination of withdrawal charges when investors repatriate funds back to India.
The initiative is part of India’s broader effort to establish GIFT City as a globally competitive financial centre capable of serving both domestic and international investors.
How Will Zerodha, Groww And Upstox Offer International Investing?
The approved brokerages will operate under different structures within the GIFT City ecosystem.
Groww and Angel One will function as Global Access Providers, while Zerodha and Upstox will operate as broker-dealers under the framework.
To facilitate international trading, the platforms are expected to route transactions through overseas execution and clearing partners.
According to reports, firms such as ViewTrade International, Interactive Brokers and Alpaca Securities are among the key infrastructure partners being considered.
Currently, ViewTrade has already secured GAP approval, while products linked to Interactive Brokers and Alpaca may require additional regulatory clearances before launch.
The partnerships are expected to provide Indian investors access to major global exchanges and international equities through a seamless brokerage experience.
Why Is Demand For International Investing Rising?
Indian retail investors have increasingly shown interest in diversifying beyond domestic equities.
The demand is being driven by several structural trends.
Many of the world’s fastest growing sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electric vehicles, cloud computing and space technology are represented more prominently in global markets than in India.
As a result, investors seeking exposure to companies such as global technology leaders often need access to overseas exchanges.
In addition, strong performance from US technology stocks, combined with the depreciation of the Indian rupee over time, has encouraged investors to explore international diversification.
Which Platforms Already Offer Global Investing?
International investing is not entirely new for Indian investors.
Platforms such as INDmoney, smallcase and HDFC Securities have already enabled access to overseas equities and have witnessed growing participation in recent years.
However, industry participants believe the entry of major brokerages such as Zerodha, Groww and Upstox could significantly expand the market by bringing international investing to millions of existing users.
What Could This Mean For Zerodha, Groww And Upstox?
For brokerages, international investing represents a new growth opportunity at a time when competition in domestic stockbroking continues to intensify.
The ability to offer global equities, ETFs and thematic investment opportunities can help platforms deepen customer engagement and increase assets under management.
It also allows brokers to participate in a rapidly growing wealth management segment where investors increasingly seek diversified portfolios spanning multiple geographies.
The move could further strengthen customer retention by enabling users to manage domestic and international investments from a single platform.
Is This A Turning Point For Indian Retail Investors?
The approval signals a broader shift in how Indian investors approach wealth creation.
Historically, investing opportunities were largely concentrated within domestic markets. The GIFT City framework now creates a regulated route for investors to participate in global growth stories while remaining within India’s regulatory ecosystem.
As more brokerages launch international investing products over the coming months, access to overseas markets could become as commonplace as investing in Indian equities.
For millions of retail investors, the next frontier of investing may no longer be limited by geography.
