Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Blackstone Says India Nears Tipping Point for Foreign Capital
Blackstone is a large investment company that has invested in India.
At first, its India business moved slowly and struggled during the global financial crisis.
Later, Blackstone changed its strategy and began taking larger roles in companies.
The firm focused on technology services, commercial real estate and manufacturing.
Jon Gray says India has delivered Blackstone’s best private-equity returns in the world.
He believes India may soon reach a point where its growth attracts even more foreign investment.
India has a very large population and millions of college graduates each year.
However, disagreements over tariffs and higher energy costs could create problems.
Gray also said India has improved its physical, legal and financial infrastructure.
Blackstone President Jon Gray says India has produced the firm’s highest private-equity returns worldwide.
The firm shifted toward majority or equal-control stakes in technology services, real estate and manufacturing.
India’s economy reached $3.69 trillion and ranked fourth globally, according to the article.
India’s 1.47 billion people and large pool of graduates are central to its investment appeal.
Gray cited infrastructure progress and closer US-India ties, while acknowledging tariffs and energy-cost risks.
- Who
- Blackstone, led in this discussion by President Jon Gray, along with Indian investment advocate Mohandas Pai.
- What
- Blackstone says India is nearing a growth tipping point and has delivered the firm’s highest private-equity returns worldwide.
- When
- The article discusses developments through Fiscal 2026 and Gray’s recent interview.
- Where
- India, in the context of its economy and relationship with the United States.
- Why
- Investors are attracted by India’s economic growth, large educated population, expanding infrastructure and technology workforce.
Growth Opportunity
Remaining Risks
India’s investment outlook
Growth Opportunity
Jon Gray says India is approaching a tipping point for faster growth and has generated Blackstone’s highest private-equity returns worldwide.
Remaining Risks
The article notes that Blackstone’s early India effort struggled, and Gray says future progress may still include bumps.
US-India relationship
Growth Opportunity
Mohandas Pai argues that India’s workforce and US capital, markets and marketing could jointly dominate global technology competition.
Remaining Risks
Gray acknowledges friction over tariffs and energy costs linked to the US war with Iran.
Infrastructure progress
Growth Opportunity
Gray credits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration with substantially improving physical, legal and capital-markets infrastructure.
Remaining Risks
Gray says inadequate infrastructure had held India back for a long time, indicating that constraints remain part of the investment story.
- India GDP
- $3.69 trillion, nearly five times its 2005 level
- Global GDP ranking
- Fourth place, above Germany, the United Kingdom and France
- Population
- 1.47 billion people
- Fiscal 2026 growth
- 7.6%, according to the World Bank
- Annual college graduates
- About 11 million
- Potential technology workforce
- Approximately 500,000 graduates considered strong enough to train for the technology industry
- Blackstone focus
- Information-technology services, commercial real estate and domestic manufacturing