'Challenges have grown': FM Sitharaman acknowledges investor anxiety & rising FII outflows

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has indicated that she will consider the rising calls for tax changes to support equity markets, acknowledging the anxiety among retail investors and market participants amid net foreign investor outflows. Speaking at the Financial Express Leadership Awards 2026 in Mumbai, she was asked whether the upcoming Budget would create a favourable environment for foreign investors and roll out the red carpet for dollar investments. She said taxation was only one part of the picture.