With Indian energy and infrastructure companies hawking masala bonds worth $6 billion on the London Stock Exchange, and another $1 billion worth of rupee-denominated papers expected to be issued by Indian companies this fiscal, Nikhil Rathi, CEO of LSE talked about the popularity of the exchange with Indian companies.
“India is looking for global investors. London is proving to be the natural choice for it. We have seen that progress built year after year; more and more money being raised at lower prices to invest directly in Indian infrastructure - whether that's power, roads, housing, renewable energy. Indian companies are finding a welcome home here.” He added, “London has the most international financial market in the world. We are able to provide a secure platform to investors from all over the world to access some of the best investment opportunities. India is the fastest-growing economy in the G20, growing over 7 per cent a year.”
When asked whether the UK market have an appetite for such masala bonds from Indian companies, Rathi replied, “I think the best answer to it is the successful issuances of $500 million (masala bond) by NHAI and $500 million by NTPC (one after the other). The market is responding each time new investors come.”
