<p>Agroforestry and plantation-based land-use systems are widely promoted for enhancing livelihoods, climate mitigation, and ecosystem restoration, yet they also represent major intentional pathways for the introduction of alien plant species. Despite increasing recognition of biological invasions as a global environmental challenge, the role of agroforestry and plantation in shaping invasion risk remains poorly synthesized at national scales, particularly in tropical regions. Here, we present the first comprehensive national assessment of cultivated alien vascular plants in India, with explicit emphasis on agroforestry- and plantation-mediated invasion pathways. Using a taxonomically standardized dataset of 1725 alien plant species, we analyzed species composition, biogeographic origins, growth forms, and transitions along the invasion continuum from cultivation to casual occurrence, naturalization, and invasion across Indian ecoregions. Cultivated species constituted the largest invasion-status group, highlighting deliberate planting as the dominant introduction route. Woody taxa commonly used in agroforestry and plantation systems particularly within Fabaceae and Myrtaceae were associated with relatively higher transition rates disproportionately high transition rates beyond cultivation compared to other growth forms. Species originating from tropical and South American regions showed elevated invasion success, reflecting strong climatic matching. Spatial patterns further indicated that agroforestry landscapes are likely to function as important invasion launch points under certain ecological and landscape conditions. Importantly, we identify a substantial pool of cultivated species displaying early warning signals of invasion, representing critical targets for preventive management. Our findings suggest the need to integrate invasion risk assessment into agroforestry planning, species selection, and restoration policies to ensure long-term ecological sustainability.</p>