Weak rupee boosts Indian property investment for UAE residents

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the UAE and wider Gulf are increasing real estate investments in India as the rupee hits record lows against the US dollar and UAE dirham. The currency depreciation has effectively boosted the purchasing power of dirham-earners by 5% to 7% over the last 12 months, allowing buyers to target larger units or premium locations that were previously outside their budgets. High-yield markets and luxury demand Market data indicates that NRIs are shifting focus toward high-growth corridors in Bengaluru, Pune, and the National Capital Region (NCR). According to industry reports from Anarock Property Consultants, the share of NRI sales in the Indian luxury segment—properties priced above Rs15 million (Dh660,000)—has risen to 20% of total sales in 2024, up from 10% three years ago. The weaker rupee allows Gulf-based investors to lock in lower entry prices for these high-yield assets. The trend is driven by a combination of currency arbitrage and the launch of mega-infrastructure projects in Indian metros. In Bengaluru, areas like North Bengaluru and Whitefield are seeing high transaction volumes from UAE-based professionals, while in the NCR, Gorgaon’s Dwarka…