Amit's Blog

India’s ASEAN Ambition: Unlocking a $80-100 Billion Trade Frontier India’s trade with ASEAN, a $3.6 trillion economic juggernaut, has surged over two decades, yet its full potential remains untapped. From $10.4 billion in 2005, India’s merchandise exports to ASEAN hit $46.5 billion in 2024, driven by chemicals, base metals, and machinery, but a $43.7 billion trade deficit persists due to $90.2 billion in imports. Service exports, led by IT, reached $11.5 billion but lag globally. High logistics costs, limited global value chain (GVC) integration, and non-tariff barriers hinder competitiveness, while service exports face regulatory constraints. Over the next 5–7 years, pharmaceuticals, electronics, base metals, halal food, and IT services could drive exports to $80–100 billion, leveraging ASEAN’s healthcare, digital, and infrastructure booms. Strategic reforms—PLI schemes, infrastructure like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, and deeper AIFTA integration—are vital to tran...

Blackstone's Impact: A Dive into its Indian Private Equity Journey Blackstone, the global alternative asset manager, has carved a formidable presence in India over the last two decades, evolving from a cautious entrant to the country's largest foreign investor. With an estimated AUM of $50 billion in India as of early 2025, and ambitious plans to double it to $100 billion, the firm's success is rooted in its adaptable investment philosophy, strategic operational enhancements, and astute exits. Initially challenged by market nuances, Blackstone refined its approach to focus on control deals in high-growth sectors like real estate, IT services, and infrastructure. Its ability to identify high-quality assets, infuse operational expertise, and leverage India's robust public markets for exits has consistently yielded strong returns, positioning it as a pivotal force in India's private equity landscape. I. Firm Overview & Strategy Blackstone, founded in 1985, st...