400 Years Old Rai Family Office Mobilizing the Indian Diaspora & Family Offices for Viksit Bharat 2047

We may have crossed oceans, but our roots remain in Bharat.”

As India charts its course toward a developed nation by 2047, it faces a monumental challenge: mobilizing sufficient capital—beyond what public budgets and CSR can cover—to finance infrastructure, healthcare, education, green energy, digital inclusion, and rural development. Here, the role of the Indian diaspora, especially global family offices and foreign direct investment (FDI), becomes indispensable.

Viksit Bharat @2047: A Vision That Requires Diaspora Capital

Viksit Bharat@ 2047 envisions economic transformation on par with the centenary of independence. But the scale of funding required—trillions of dollars—far exceeds public expenditure capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Indian diaspora, comprising over 35 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin, manages an estimated $1 trillion in global assets, influencing capital flows, entrepreneurship, and policy on multiple continents. By engaging this diaspora through structured models like diaspora-driven FDI and legacy philanthropy, India can unlock a powerful source of private capital for development.

Why Family Offices Are Critical Stakeholders

1. Rapid Growth & Investment Discipline : India now hosts roughly 300 family offices, up from just 45 in 2018—managing over USD 30 billion in assets. These entities don’t just preserve wealth—they’ve evolved into strategic investors, funnelling capital into startups, real estate, private equity, and debt.
   

2. Global Reach & Portfolio Diversification : Diaspora family offices are increasingly investing globally, moving beyond traditional equities into private markets, VC, hedge funds, and ESG via strategic diversification. Their global networks and governance sophistication equip them uniquely to engage in India's development projects.
   

3. Legacy & Purpose-Driven Capital : These family offices are active in intergenerational legacy planning, philanthropy, and impact investing. Their wealth is connected to generational purpose and value beyond financial returns—making them ideal partners for nation-building.

Why Government Funding Alone Won’t Suffice ?

Traditional public resources—government budgets, remittances, CSR—are necessary but insufficient. India’s remittance inflows reached approximately $125 billion in 2023, yet most serve household needs, not large-scale infrastructure or innovation drives.

To achieve Viksit Bharat, India needs:

• Blended finance combining public and private funds

• Patient capital from long-term investors

• Impact investing, including development impact bonds and ESG funds

Diaspora family offices are uniquely positioned to deliver all three.

Lady Shokheen Singh Rai: A Catalyst for Diaspora Engagement

Leading this charge is Lady Shokheen Singh Rai, CEO of Rai Legacy Partners, a 400-year-old family office, and Chair of the Viksit Bharat Investors Dialogue at the Bharat Economic Forum (BEF). Her campaign aims to unite 100+ global family offices, UHNIs, and philanthropists under one movement to mobilize private capital for India.

Through BEF—the independent think tank facilitating this initiative—Lady Rai is preparing a formal letter to Prime Minister Modi, inviting diaspora-led investment pledges to fuel India’s long-term growth narrative.

How the Diaspora Can Engage: A Blueprint

A Timely Call to Action

India’s global position—economically, technologically, geopolitically—is ascending. But for true transformation, heritage and future must converge.

This diaspora capital initiative is more than investment—it is a return of legacy, a marriage of global experience with homeland aspirations.

Join the Initiative

Are you a global Indian investor, entrepreneur, or philanthropist?It’s time to transform your legacy into impact. Connect with Lady Shokheen Singh Rai and Bharat Economic Forum:

📧 partnerships@bharateconomicforum.org

Let’s build Viksit Bharat 2047—together.