Global PE firms turn to India for Asia leadership

This comes amid slowdown in deal-making in China

- DEV CHATTERJEE

Some of the world's largest private equity (PE) firms and investment banks are sharpening their focus on India, with top Asia leadership now based in the country. Firms such as KKR & Co, Blackstone Inc, and, more recently, Carlyle, are expanding the roles of their senior executives to oversee the region, driven by a surge in major transactions from India.

For example, Amit Dixit, who leads Blackstone PE's Asia operations, joined the firm in 2007 and has directed various investments in South Asia and global tech-enabled services. He is now based in Mumbai.

Similarly, Gaurav Trehan, who joined KKR & Co in 2020 from TPG, has rapidly advanced to partner and co-head of KKR Asia-Pacific (APAC). He has also been appointed chief executive officer of KKR India and operates from India.