'If The Market Goes Down 15%, I May Buy Indian Shares'

Veteran American investor and commodity expert Jim Rogers opened up in an interview with Nidhi Sinha, editor, Outlook Money, as part of the Wealth Wizards series, to talk about his life choices, where he would want to invest now and what he thinks about the Indian market. He also spoke about why the 21st century is the century for Asia and the markets that hold promise in the continent now, besides listing silver as the commodity that he prefers currently

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What prompted you to move to Singapore?

It's because I wanted my children to speak Mandarin. As far as I can see, Mandarin is going to be the most important language in their lifetime.

We tried doing it in New York, but it wasn't completely successful. So we tried many cities, and we decided on Singapore as a place where they could learn Mandarin.

I realised early in my life that China was going to be a great and successful country again. It was a disaster 30-40 years ago, but I realised that it was rising, and that if one spoke Mandarin, one would have an advantage. I knew because I don't speak Mandarin. I don't speak Hindi either. So I set out for my children to speak good Mandarin, and it has been a successful project. Both of my daughters speak the best Mandarin in this country and in their school.

Will it make them successful? No, it will take more than that, but at least it is a tool that will help them.

Someday, if they wind up working in a Chinese restaurant, at least they will do well. You can ask me in 30 years if it was a good decision.

You have been known to be bullish on Asian markets and have been heard saying that this is the time to be in Asia. Was that a reason, too?

There was certainly a time when the UK was (the) best (place to be in). There was a time when the US was the best. But as far as I can determine, the 21st century is the century of Asia. Whether people like it or not, it's a fact. It is happening, and it's going to continue. You're at the right place at the right time. If you look back over world history, there have been times when Asia has been on top and when other places have been (on top).

China is on the rise. Look at what's happening in Korea and India. It's astonishing. There are other countries like Vietnam, too.