Blackstone plans to invest $25 billion in India private equity asset

Blackstone Inc. aims to add an additional $25 billion of Indian private equity assets over the next five years, reflecting the South Asian country’s increasing allure to global investors. The New York-based firm also intends to bring on 20 more investment professionals to its asset management business in India and double its office space in Nariman Point in downtown Mumbai, according to its head of private equity in Asia, Amit Dixit. “India’s predictable regulatory and policy environment, steady economic growth and buoyant capital market offers the right opportunity to speed up creating such a large portfolio,” Dixit said in an interview last week from Blackstone’s office in Express Towers. Global firms, pensions and sovereign wealth funds are deploying billions of dollars in the world’s most populous nation. While there are many hurdles to overcome in a country with so many people in poverty, the opportunity for growth is plain to see.