Why India is such a rare and attractive investment market

There is something about investing in India that most investors are not aware of. INTO INDIA is pleased to bring this important statistic to you.

India is a rare market that has delivered double digit annualised returns in USD terms consistently over a 5, 10, 15 and 20 year time frame.  Even the US has not done that, falling just short over the 20 year time horizon.

Why is this happening?

This startling fact was drawn to the attention of INTO INDIA by Anish Mathew, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer, Sundaram Asset Management Singapore Pte Ltd.

Anish explains – “There are a couple of key reasons for this in my view.  India is a capital scarce country and hence cost of capital has always been high in India. 

“This has resulted in corporates being generally disciplined about their capital allocation decisions which in turn has benefited their shareholders over the longer term. 

“Secondly, the correlation between economic growth and corporate profits is the highest amongst its EM peers.  Studies have shown that over a 20 year period, it is around 0.62. 

“As the Indian economy has grown at an average of 6% since 1980, corporate profits have benefited, thereby underpinning the performance of the Indian market over the long term,” he said.

For those who love the stats:

The MSCI INDIA Net Total Return USD Index:

5 years – 11.92%

10 years – 10.06%

15 years – 10.42%

20 years – 11.04%

Makes INTO INDIA wonder – are we missing the India investment opportunity?

CSIRO brilliant programs of collaboration and innovation with India

The CSIRO is showing the way into India – and INTO INDIA congratulates them.

Under the updated India Economic Strategy (IES) released in 2022, CSIRO and India have made a commitment to draw on complementary capabilities and resource to solve shared global challenges.

They have three partnerships:

  • India-Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion Accelerator.
  • India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership.
  • India-Australia Green Steel Partnership.

The inaugural cohort of the India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator has been announced, with 15 Australian and Indian startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selected to participate in Round 1 of the Program. 

India-Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion Accelerator

India-Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion Accelerator (RISE) is an exciting and unique bilateral innovation program that will support Indian and Australian entrepreneurs and SMEs on their commercialisation pathways to launch innovative technology solutions to market that tackle our shared national challenges and priorities – such as the circular economy, the energy transition and food system resilience.

A partnership between CSIRO and Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), and supported by the Australian and Indian Governments.

India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership

The India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership (IACMRP) will work with Indian and Australian researchers, industry and government to deliver a range of projects over a 3.5-year period that aims to unlock commercial benefits of commencing, improving and integrating Indian and Australian critical minerals value chains.

India-Australia Green Steel Partnership

The India-Australia Green Steel Partnership (IAGSP) will deliver a range of research, technology and commercialisation projects over a 3.5-year period that aim to accelerate the decarbonisation of the iron-steel value chain in India and Australia.

These Partnerships have gained momentum and the India-Australia Minerals Scholars Network has been identified as a specific initiative that sits under both the IACMRP and IAGSP partnerships.

India-Australia Minerals Scholars Network

The India-Australia Minerals Scholars Network (the Scholars Network) will focus on enhancing Green Steel and Critical Minerals capabilities and connections. It is intended to be a 3.5-year initiative co-funded by the India-Australia Green Steel Partnership (IAGSP) and the India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership (IACMRP).

INTO INDIA can only say – keep up the great work CSIRO.

Australian banker says “this is India’s century”

This is the best, strongest vote of confidence in India from one of Australia’s leading corporations.

Mark Whelan, Group Executive at ANZ: “The time is very much appropriate to grow here. If you look at the basics of the Indian economy and where its place is in the world, this is India’s century”.

Rufus Pinto, Country Head, India, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, outlined the rapid recent growth of ANZ in India: “ANZ India started our Institutional Banking operations in 2011. 13 years of existence across three branches today with over 80 bankers supporting the top Financial Institutions; Local Large Corporates and MNC’s working together with our home markets of Australia and New Zealand, and ~30 markets in our global network providing our clients a seamless agile offering.

“ANZ in India today house almost 20% of our global workforce, with our Global Capability Centre in Bengaluru,” he said.

This is change on a grand scale for a leading Aussie company.

Yes, this is India’s century.

Time to get on board?

Jasmine Batra and AICC outlining a thoughtful way to enter the India market

Two organisations that advocate a “more thoughtful” way to enter the Indian market came together last week in a wonderful seminar providing some super advice.

First was the Australia India Chamber of Commerce (AICC) which hosted the event and their Chair, Chris Mooney, put the case for the chamber’s National Industry Groups doing well researched and sequenced steps to engage with India. Each group does research for a white paper, builds a community and knowledge group around it and leads to well prepared India missions.

Second was the keynote speaker, Jasmine Batra from Arrow Digital, who have a program called “The Big Leap” taking clients through a 12 month program of understanding and entering India. INTO INDIA has long advocated that slower market entry produces superior long term results – a strong alternative to the traditional Aussie hasty transactional approach. We love “The Big Leap” concept.

There are three major factors that make India today a very special market – first, the young population with an average age of 28; second, the rise of the tier 2 and 3 cities, including their specialisation, three, India’s global leadership in rolling out digital infrastructure that is transforming business and society.

Jasmine talked about importance of Food, Festivals and Family when thinking about India. “Family” includes what she called “the crazy rich” such as Tata, Ambani and many more. But it also goes right down to small community business families. Your journey will interact at all levels at some time.

Reducing risk is vital. There are three steps you can take. First, understand the cultural context. Second, do market research and find local partners. Third, network community and do due diligence.

In conclusion Jasmine Batra said you should get over there, get around and get partners. By research and regular visits, your more thoughtful engagement with India will produce results.

La Trobe University very kindly provided the venue.

CONTACT AICC

Contact Jasmine Batra

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