MIPIM x Indianmedia.biz: Unlocking Global Capital for India's Real Estate Surge
Real estate leaders discuss global institutional capital, ESG, and emerging asset classes at the MIPIM and Indianmedia.biz roundtable in Mumbai.
The Indian real estate landscape is witnessing a massive transformation as global institutional interest intensifies. At an exclusive, closed-door Real Estate Leadership Roundtable titled ‘Unlocking Global Funds: The India Capital Surge’, industry titans gathered at the Sofitel Mumbai BKC to dissect the future of the nation's property market.
Presented by MIPIM and RX France and powered by Indianmedia.biz, the high-level session brought together developers, investors, and researchers to navigate the complexities of attracting international money while managing domestic growth. The dialogue centered on a maturing market that is increasingly defined by institutionalization, transparency, and long-term value creation.
A Shift in Investment Horizons and Currency Dynamics
While the appetite for Indian real estate remains high, experts noted that the nature of the investment is evolving. The conversation touched upon the critical balance between attractive domestic returns and the impact of currency fluctuations on foreign investors.
“The returns from Indian real estate remain attractive, but in US dollar terms they are not as compelling as they were earlier because of currency depreciation. This has become an important consideration for foreign institutional investors when evaluating opportunities in India,” said Hanuman Joshi, Group Chief Financial Officer, Casagrand Premier Builder Limited.
Interestingly, there is a notable shift in how international partners view the Indian market. Vimalendra Singh, Chief Business Officer at Mahindra Lifespaces Developers Ltd, highlighted a trend among Japanese investors, noting a move toward more "patient capital."
“Japan is a long-term and strategic partner for India, and we are increasingly seeing Japanese investors move from four- to five-year investment horizons to eight- to ten-year horizons. This shift towards patient, long-term capital can create more opportunities across India’s real estate market,” Singh explained.
The Rise of New Asset Classes and Office Resilience
The roundtable identified several sectors that are currently driving the upward trajectory of the industry. Unlike many global markets that are struggling with stagnation, India's office sector is showing remarkable strength, particularly through the lens of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), data centres, and logistics.
Rohan Sharma, Senior Director – Research & REIS at JLL, pointed out that India is carving out a unique path compared to Western markets. While the US faces a recovery period, India is rapidly expanding its office capacity and headcount.
“The flight to quality is evident, with high-quality, ESG-certified and institutional-grade offices seeing significantly tighter vacancies,” Sharma noted, adding that India's pace of growth is unmatched globally.
Other key growth drivers discussed included:
- Data Centres: Rapid expansion requiring a balance between digital needs and resource management.
- Logistics and Warehousing: A sector showing consistent upward momentum.
- Residential Premiumisation: A growing trend toward high-end, institutional-grade housing.
- Emerging Segments: Co-working, co-living, and organized retail expanding beyond major metros.
Sustainability and the ESG Mandate
A significant portion of the leadership discussion was dedicated to the necessity of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. As the sector matures, sustainability is no longer optional but a prerequisite for attracting global institutional funds.
Participants explored the critical importance of:
- Water conservation and energy efficiency.
- Net-zero development goals.
- Responsible resource management in the face of rapid infrastructure growth.
A Bullish Outlook for India's Real Estate
Despite challenges faced by mid-sized developers and MSMEs—such as land consolidation, construction costs, and regulatory hurdles—the overall sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive. The consensus among leaders is that India's stable political environment and increasing regulatory transparency are creating a fertile ground for investment.
“India has very strong fundamentals, driven by a stable political environment and a rapidly progressing, transparent and regulated real estate sector,” stated Sanjay Dutt, MD & CEO of Tata Realty & Infrastructure Limited. “India is one of the few countries I know where every segment of real estate is pointing upwards — logistics, warehousing, data centres, residential, co-working and co-living.”