You hold US stocks directly through a brokerage—smart investing. But on death, those are US-situs assets, exposed to US estate tax up to 40% above just ~$60,000.
Most Indian investors have never heard of this. The fix is structural: many hold US exposure through Ireland-domiciled funds instead, sidestepping the trap entirely.
The asset is fine; the wrapper is the risk. How do you currently hold your US exposure?