Foreign Investor’s Guide to Successful Joint Ventures | Doing Business in India | Episode 9

General

March 11, 2026

Is a Joint Venture (JV) in India Right for Your Business?

Joint ventures have long been a gateway for foreign investors entering the Indian market, but why do so many high-profile collaborations dissolve within just a few years? In Episode 9 of the Doing Business in India series, Ajay Joseph (Partner at Veyrah Law) explores the intricate landscape of foreign investors collaborating with Indian partners.

While India has offered immense potential since opening its markets in 1991, the track record for international JVs is mixed. This video moves beyond the legal documentation to examine critical friction points associated with forming JVs in India and provides India-specific insights that can be implemented to build sustainable and well-balanced partnerships.

Foreign Investor’s Guide to Successful Joint Ventures | Doing Business in India | Episode 9

Keywords

  • Joint Venture (JV): A commercial partnership where parties pool resources to achieve a shared business goal.
  • FDI (Foreign Direct Investment): Capital investment made by a company from one country into business operations in another.
  • Promoter: The persons who maintain significant control over an Indian business.
  • Due Diligence: A thorough background check on a potential partner’s commercial reputation and financial health.
  • Equity Control: The power to manage a company based on the percentage of shares held.
  • Corporate Governance: The system of rules and oversight used to direct and control a company.
  • Board Oversight: Monitoring by directors to ensure management acts in the best interest of shareholders.
  • Enforceability: The ability to have a legal contract upheld by a court.
  • Transparency Norms: Standards requiring a company to be honest and open about its financial activities.
  • Holding Entity: A parent entity owning and controlling other businesses (subsidiaries).

Timestamps

00:00
–
Teaser: Opportunities and challenges associated with Indian JVs
00:50
–
Introduction
01:24
–
Disclaimer
01:48
–
History of foreign investment in India
02:55
–
Major challenges in cross-order joint ventures in India
03:03
–
Misalignment of business objectives
03:27
–
Cultural differences and family-run dynamics
03:48
–
Corporate governance and transparency norms
04:07
–
Mindset Difference – Contracts vs. Relationships
04:32
–
Enforceability and judicial backlogs in Indian courts
05:15
–
Advisor’s View – Best practices for India
05:21
–
Necessity of partner diligence
05:40
–
Managing realistic expectations in a price-sensitive market
06:02
–
Documenting of broad commercial terms early
06:17
–
Ensuring total alignment on deal terms
06:36
–
Smart structuring
06:48
–
Navigating sector-specific regulations and bureaucracy
07:02
–
Building a well-defined exit mechanism
07:15
–
Ensuring financial visibility
07:29
–
Securing board rights and effective governance
07:47
–
Navigating family business dynamics
08:18
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Conclusion

Production Date:

Recorded on 20 December 2025

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