SEATTLE (Diya TV) — Investment expert Saurabh Mukherjea urged Indian American investors to keep a balanced approach toward India-focused investments, recommending that they limit their exposure to the country to 15% to 20% of their portfolios despite India’s promising long-term growth outlook.
Mukherjea, founder and chief investment officer of Marcellus Investment Managers, shared his views during the inaugural Prose and Kauns Conversations event held June 7 at Remitly headquarters in Seattle. The discussion covered investment strategies, India’s economic transformation, artificial intelligence, and the country’s manufacturing prospects.
Speaking to an audience of about 45 professionals from Seattle’s Indian American technology, finance, and entrepreneurship sectors, Mukherjea said many nonresident Indians may be overestimating the benefits of concentrating their investments in India.
“For a typical affluent NRI, I haven’t seen the logic of why any more than 15 to 20 percent should be in India,” Mukherjea said.
He noted that U.S. markets have delivered stronger returns over the past decade. According to Mukherjea, the American market generated about 15% annual returns over 10 years, compared with roughly 8% returns from India in dollar terms. His comments highlighted the importance of portfolio diversification for diaspora investors seeking long-term wealth creation.
Mukherjea also discussed Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, commonly known as GIFT City, which he described as a convenient investment gateway for overseas Indians. He said investors can open portfolio management service accounts in GIFT City while living abroad and invest directly in U.S. dollars.
“You can sit in the comfort of your residence in Seattle and open a PMS account in GIFT City,” he said.
Mukherjea explained that GIFT City operates as a dollar-based financial jurisdiction and offers tax advantages for eligible investors. He said the structure simplifies investing while allowing global access to financial markets. The comments drew attention from attendees interested in managing investments across both the United States and India.
A major focus of the discussion centered on India’s economic future. Mukherjea argued that the country may finally be entering a significant manufacturing growth phase after decades of limited progress.
“For the first time since independence, we will have a big manufacturing boom,” he said.
He believes changes in currency valuation could improve India’s export competitiveness over the next several years. As a result, manufacturing exports could expand and create new economic opportunities. Mukherjea pointed to several regions where manufacturing activity is already gaining momentum. These include Coimbatore and Hosur in Tamil Nadu, parts of Gujarat, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the National Capital Region, and Ludhiana in Punjab. The manufacturing sector has become a key part of India’s strategy to strengthen economic growth, create jobs, and reduce dependence on imports.
Artificial intelligence was another major topic during the event. Mukherjea said AI is changing how businesses operate and reducing the size and cost of projects that can be completed profitably. He believes this shift could benefit young professionals across smaller cities and towns in India. According to Mukherjea, skilled coders and systems architects can now complete projects for international clients much faster than before. This trend allows workers to remain in their hometowns while serving customers around the world.
He suggested that many young Indians may choose independent work over relocating to crowded metropolitan areas such as Mumbai and Bengaluru. Mukherjea said AI could support the growth of small businesses and create more flexible career paths for the next generation.
The event began with remarks from Deputy Consul General of India in Seattle Soumith Raju and Remitly Chief Business Officer Pankaj Sharma. The discussion concluded with a question-and-answer session covering foreign institutional investor flows, population trends, fertility rates, China’s manufacturing competition, and investment opportunities for diaspora investors. Mukherjea ended the event with an optimistic assessment of India’s future. He said India’s strength lies in its large pool of talented and ambitious people who continue to adapt and overcome challenges.
“If Microsoft India were listed, it would be by far the largest listed company in India,” he said. “We are already part of the global mainstream.”
