In a significant move that could reshape Kerala’s investment landscape, Dubai-based businessman Siddharth Balachandran has mooted plans to establish a ₹500 crore Kerala Investment Fund aimed at fostering sustainable and forward-looking projects in the state.

Siddharth Balachandran, Executive Chairman and CEO of Buimerc Corporation Ltd, shared his vision during a media interaction in Kochi. A man with years of international investing experience, he described the fund as a "dream project". One that reflects not only his belief in Kerala’s potential but also in the broader economic narrative of India.

“Despite the recent market corrections, I remain bullish on the Indian growth story,” he said. “India still offers one of the most compelling investment opportunities globally.”

A seasoned investor with global credentials, Siddharth Balachandran is no stranger to India’s financial markets. He is currently the single largest individual shareholder of the Bombay Stock Exchange, holding a 3.01% stake. He is also one of the largest individual shareholders of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSEIL) with a holding of 0.38 per cent shares.

^{Siddharath Balachandran | PHOTO : WIKI COMMONS}
Betting on India’s Domestic Strength

Siddharth Balachandran’s market outlook is shaped by more than just numbers. A follower of Equilibrium and Reflexivity theory, he believes that investor perceptions influence and shape market realities, rather than merely responding to them.

It’s a philosophy that drives his long-term investment approach, one that looks far beyond the conventional three or five year horizon.

The Shift from Foreign to Domestic Players

Offering insights into market dynamics, Siddharth Balachandran also observed a major transition taking place within Indian equities, one that sees Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) gradually overtaking Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) in market influence. “We are witnessing a fundamental rebalancing,” he noted. “The Indian market is increasingly being driven by domestic conviction rather than foreign capital.”

In an age of geopolitical uncertainty, especially under the backdrop of U S President Donald Trump’s unpredictable policy environment, Siddharth Balachandran’s confidence in India remains unshaken. “The Trump administration may have int
roduced global uncertainties, but they’ve barely impacted Indian markets,” he said.

^{REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE | PHOTO : WIKI COMMONS}
A Voice for Market Integrity

Beyond investment strategy, Siddharth Balachandran has also stressed the importance of market integrity. He lauded India’s market regulator SEBI’s recent action against U.S. investment firm Jane Street for alleged market manipulation. “Regulatory bodies must be seen acting decisively when violations occur. It’s essential for maintaining investor confidence,” he said.

While he has ruled out any foray into commodity markets for now, Balachandran’s focus remains clear: building a meaningful and sustainable investment framework in India and his home state of Kerala.