Corporate Legal Advisory for Foreign Companies in India
General counsel for promoters, boards, startups and growth-stage companies.
What this engagement covers
Corporate Legal Advisory for Foreign Companies in India, End-to-End.
Outside general-counsel work — from incorporation and shareholder agreements through documentation and allied legal activities, related-party transactions and exit. We act for promoter families, foreign VC-backed startups, growth-stage companies, and Indian subsidiaries of overseas groups.
Our process
From First Call to Final Order
Confidential Intake
30-min discovery call on phone or Zoom. We confirm scope, urgency and fee on the same call.
Diligence & Strategy
Document review, record retrieval and a written strategy note — including timeline, risks and milestones.
Documentation & Filing
Drafting, apostille, Power of Attorney, registration and filing handled end-to-end by a named matter lead.
Representation
Court, tribunal, registrar or counterparty representation — with weekly written updates across time-zones.
Closure & Handover
Final order, registered deed or settlement, plus a sealed matter file and post-closure compliance calendar.
Why IndusGuard
Built for Matters That Cross Borders
One named matter lead
No call-centre, no hand-offs. A senior advocate owns your file end-to-end.
NRI desks across 8 countries
Overlapping US, UK, Gulf and APAC hours — apostille and POA built into every workflow.
Weekly written updates
Plain-language progress notes, secure document portal and milestone-based fees.
Pan-India bar coverage
Empanelled counsel across High Courts, NCLT, DRT and the Supreme Court of India.
Where we serve
A Global NRI Desk, Anchored in India.
We act for clients across 8+ countries and represent matters in every major Indian jurisdiction — High Courts, NCLT, DRT and the Supreme Court.
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- UAE
- Australia
- Singapore
- Germany
- Saudi Arabia
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- Delhi NCR
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Pune
- Pan-India
Common questions
Before You Call
What are the options for a foreign company setting up in India?+
A foreign company can establish an India presence through: a wholly owned subsidiary (Indian private limited company, most flexible structure), a branch office (for companies with profitable overseas operations, limited activities permitted), a liaison office (representative office only, no commercial activities), or a project office (for specific projects). FDI route confirmation and RBI reporting requirements apply to all structures.
What is the FDI Automatic Route for foreign investment in an Indian company?+
Most sectors in India allow FDI under the Automatic Route without prior government approval — the investment is reported to the RBI within 30 days through the FC-GPR form after share allotment. Certain sensitive sectors require Government Route approval from the Ministry of Finance or the relevant sectoral ministry before investment.
What is a shareholders' agreement and why is it essential for foreign investors in Indian companies?+
A shareholders' agreement governs the rights and obligations of shareholders beyond the company's articles of association. For foreign investors in Indian companies, it typically covers investor protection rights (anti-dilution, information rights, affirmative voting rights), exit mechanisms (put options, drag-along, tag-along), board representation, and dispute resolution. It should be governed by Indian law and contain an arbitration clause specifying a neutral seat.
What are the annual compliance requirements for a foreign-owned Indian subsidiary?+
A foreign-owned Indian private limited company must file: annual returns and financial statements with the ROC (MCA portal), annual general meeting minutes, director KYC (DIR-3 KYC) for all directors, foreign investment annual return with the RBI (FLA return), income tax return, GST returns if applicable, and FC-GPR or FC-TRS reports for any equity changes. Board meetings must be held at least once per quarter.
Can an NRI be a director of an Indian company?+
Yes. An NRI can be a director of an Indian private or public limited company. At least one director must be a resident in India (present for at least 182 days in the preceding calendar year). NRI directors must obtain a Director Identification Number (DIN), complete annual DIR-3 KYC, and comply with FEMA rules on their directorship-related remuneration and transactions.
What is the process for closing or winding up a foreign-owned Indian subsidiary?+
A foreign-owned Indian subsidiary can be wound up voluntarily under Section 59 of the IBC (where the company is solvent) or through the MCA fast-track exit scheme for dormant companies. Prior RBI approval may be required for repatriation of liquidation proceeds. The process typically takes 6-18 months for an orderly voluntary winding up with proper FEMA and tax compliance.
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