Expressing confidence of raising $10 to 15 billion, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has sought as foreign direct investment every year over the next ten years, he said he had held discussions with European leaders as well as overseas Indians and foreigners on putting together the funds.
"As far as the Hinduja group is concerned, we are in the process of putting together funds for investments in partnership with Japanese, Qatari, European and American institutions focussing particularly in areas such as infrastructure, automobile industry, media communication, oil and gas, information and technology, healthcare and real estate property development," Hinduja told PTI in Mumbai.
He suggested that the Indian government gear up its machinery to identify projects in which investments were required, ensuring necessary environment and other clearances.
Besides, Hinduja suggested that India follow China's example and encourage investors to join special purpose vehicles with Indian companies, which already have the necessary clearances.
Hinduja said his discussions with potential investors abroad was a pointer to the fact that funds were indeed available for investment and asked New Delhi to prepare a list of priority projects.
"Industrialists who have grown in protected economy have now tasted the flavour of free market economy and are now more interested in investment opportunities outside India. Besides, overseas Indians and foreigners are looking at India for investment opportunities," he said.
The more FDI flows into India, the greater will be the support from the West to India's quest for UN Security Council seat or nuclear parity, the UK-based NRI, Hinduja, said.
The billionaire businessman also said that he and his brother Ashok Hinduja were "very happy" to learn about the "frank" discussions between Manmohan Singh and his British counterpart Tony Blair on economic growth and progress.
He noted it was for the first time that political and business leaders from the EU have acknowledged that India was opening up and there were good opportunities for investment. "Tony Blair as President of EU has endorsed this."
Hinduja said India's strategic partnership with the US, EU and good understanding with Russia and China had placed it on a higher pedestal of growth.
The entire world was looking at India as an investment opportunity. Even India's friendly relationship with Pakistan had opened up economy of both the countries, he observed.
