From UK to Europe, Indian firms go global with wave of overseas acquisitions – Firstpost

Indian companies are once again on a global buying spree, snapping up firms across the UK, Europe and the United States in a fresh wave of overseas acquisitions that reflects the growing financial muscle and strategic ambitions of India Inc.

The latest and biggest deal came in April when
Sun Pharma agreed to acquire New York-listed women’s health and biosimilars company Organon for $11.75 billion, marking the largest overseas acquisition by an Indian company in nearly two decades.

The transaction capped a series of high-profile global deals by Indian firms this year, including Tata Motors acquiring Italian commercial vehicle maker Iveco for $4.4 billion and IT services company Coforge buying Silicon Valley-based AI firm Encora in a $2.35 billion deal.

The Bajaj Group also expanded its global footprint by acquiring a 23 per cent stake in German insurance giant Allianz SE earlier this year.

From trophy assets to technology and capability

Unlike the acquisition boom of the mid-2000s, when Indian conglomerates pursued marquee international brands as symbols of global prestige, experts say the latest wave is being driven by a sharper strategic focus.

Indian firms are increasingly targeting technology, intellectual property, research capabilities and global distribution networks that can accelerate growth back home.

“This is a very different wave from the early-2000s buyouts,” said Parag Srivastava, Partner at Bombay Law Chambers, in comments shared with Firstpost.

“That era was about acquiring iconic global brands that signalled arrival. What we are seeing today is far more deliberate. Indian companies are not buying scale; they are buying capability with deep IP and frontier technology,” he said.

Srivastava said boardrooms are now focused on acquiring technologies and specialised expertise that would otherwise take years to develop organically.

“For Sun Pharma, that is access to biosimilar and specialty platforms it would take years to build organically,” he said.

India Inc builds global supply chain resilience

Industry experts say geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and supply-chain disruptions are also encouraging Indian firms to establish stronger international footholds.

Companies are seeking to diversify manufacturing and sourcing networks at a time when tariffs, export controls and global chokepoints are becoming increasingly common.

Srivastava said overseas acquisitions could help Indian firms hedge against such risks while improving long-term competitiveness.

“The geopolitical turmoil has taken a toll on the global supply chain. These acquisitions will help hedge against these risks going forward,” he said.

Indian firms are also benefiting from regulatory and financing reforms that have made outbound deals easier to execute.

Srivastava pointed to the Reserve Bank of India’s 2026 amendments to acquisition finance rules, which now allow Indian banks to fund up to 75 per cent of acquisition values in mergers and acquisitions. He added that a more flexible external commercial borrowing framework and simplified overseas investment rules have significantly expanded financing options for Indian acquirers.