In a recent fireside chat, Arvind Mathur, Chairman of Private Equity Pro Partners, discussed the Indian investment landscape with ION Analytics’ Giovanni Amodeo. The conversation covered a range of topics, including Mathur’s professional background, the formation of the Indian Limited Partners Association and the ESG Association of India, and the future of private equity in India.

Mathur began his career at Citibank and spent 20 years at the Asian Development Bank, investing in private equity, venture capital, and infrastructure across the Asia Pacific region. Upon returning to India, he was involved with Citibank in a billion-dollar infrastructure fund and later ran the Indian Private Equity Association and the Impact Investors Council.

The Indian Limited Partners Association, recently launched by Mathur, aims to grow the domestic LP industry in India, which currently sources 80-90% of its capital internationally. The association will facilitate LP-LP meetings to build confidence and understanding of the private equity industry among domestic LPs.

The ESG Association of India, another initiative by Mathur, aims to promote best practices in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects among private equity funds and corporations in India. The association will align its metrics with international standards, given that the majority of LP capital in India comes from abroad.

Mathur expressed optimism about the future of private equity in India, citing the country’s consistent economic growth over the past several decades. He believes that this growth will provide ample investment opportunities and a positive return framework for private equity in India.

In summary, Arvind Mathur’s fireside chat provided valuable insights into the Indian investment landscape, the role of LPs and GPs, and the importance of ESG practices in private equity. His initiatives aim to strengthen the domestic LP industry and promote ESG best practices, contributing to the sustainable growth of private equity in India.

Key timestamps:

00:09: Introduction
00:46: Arvind Mathur’s Background and Career
01:56: Launch of Indian Limited Partners Association and ESG Association of India
02:19: Vision and Mission of Indian Limited Partners Association
05:18: Raising Awareness and Building Confidence for Domestic LPs
07:49: Involvement of GPs and the Importance of Engaging with LPs
08:20: Investment Patterns and Risk Appetite of Indian LPs
10:35: Talent and Skillsets in the Indian Investment Industry
13:08: Government’s Approach to Overseas Talent and Workforce in India
14:45: Public Perception and Community Engagement in the Indian Investment Landscape
16:47: Metrics for Success of the Association
18:22: Vision and Mission of ESG Association of India
20:29: Framework and Metrics for ESG Association
22:15: Association’s Stance on ESG and COVID-19 Impact
23:58: Mapping International LPs and Local GPs in India
25:03: Cooperation with Existing Players
27:06: Aspiration for the Future