Foreign direct investment in India surged in 2025, driven largely by Alphabet Inc.’s data center project, though a decline in greenfield investments signaled a weaker investment outlook, according to the United Nations’ trade agency.

Total FDI rose 44% to $39 billion last year, UN Trade and Development said in its annual World Investment Report released Tuesday. The increase was led by the $14.5 billion Alphabet project and Polish developer Hynfra’s $4 billion green hydrogen investment, both in Andhra Pradesh, a state governed by a key ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The figures suggest the foreign inflows were driven by a handful of large projects rather than broad-based corporate spending. Domestic private investment, critical for joint ventures with foreign partners, has remained subdued, while India has lagged other markets in attracting AI-related investment.

The inflows are significant for India at a time when policymakers are seeking stable sources of foreign capital to help finance the country’s investment needs and narrow its current-account deficit. As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India remains vulnerable to swings in global energy prices that can pressure the rupee and widen its import bill. Unlike portfolio flows, which can reverse quickly during bouts of market volatility, foreign direct investment is generally viewed as a more durable source of capital that supports long-term growth, employment and exports.