India’s embattled industrialist Gautam Adani obtained a much-needed vote of confidence from a well-respected U.S. asset supervisor forward of a vital bond roadshow that is underway.

Rajiv Jain is the co-founder and CIO of GQG Companions, which has $92 billion of belongings beneath administration, and is greatest recognized for investing in secure rising corporations within the tobacco and power sectors. Jain is now betting on Adani with a $1.9 billion funding throughout 4 of his conglomerate’s publicly listed shares.

“Controversy is a part of the way you get higher returns,” Jain informed CNBC in an unique interview.

Jain’s funding follows a large decline in Adani’s inventory worth amid criticism of the Indian agency’s practices. The principle firm — Adani Enterprises — has misplaced 48% year-to-date amid allegations of fraud and inventory worth manipulation from quick vendor Hindenburg, who launched a wide-ranging report in late January. Adani has rejected the accusations, however the group’s billionaire chairman rapidly misplaced his rating as Asia’s richest man as shares of his eight publicly listed shares went into freefall.

And, sure, Jain has learn the report however says he did his personal analysis and got here to a special conclusion.

“We learn the report however you recognize, we receives a commission to do our personal analysis and we did our personal work and we had a special opinion,” he informed CNBC.

“After doing our due diligence, we talked to among the bankers we talked to a few of their companions and truly, it is form of outstanding how constant the suggestions was.”

When in dialog with “one of many largest bankers,” Jain requested if they might ever give Adani extra money and the reply he obtained was: “After all.”

Jain’s funding introduced Thursday supplies some stage of aid. Shares of Adani Enterprises and Adani Ports are up 66% and 23% over the previous seven days, respectively.

Adani is in the course of a world bond roadshow, two sources near the matter informed CNBC, which is able to head to the U.S. within the coming weeks and deal with fixed-income traders. How receptive traders are in these upcoming conferences might sign whether or not different established traders additionally see alternative in Adani’s infrastructure portfolio.

When requested about India’s Supreme Court docket ordering an investigation into Adani’s enterprise, Jain mentioned the regulatory danger was “low.” “Enterprise regulation tends to be a danger … nothing is a zero likelihood, however I believe it is a low sufficient likelihood for us to speculate.”

Whereas Jain has been a long-term investor throughout developed and rising markets like India, he does not have a private relationship with Adani however has been keeping track of the corporate for the previous 5 years.

“No, I’ve not recognized him in any respect … a few of our staff members met among the administration final summer time,” mentioned Jain.

The Florida-based investor emphasizes that this can be a long-term funding and that he is anticipating returns within the “mid- to high-teens,” touting Adani’s infrastructure portfolio which he thinks will turn into extra worthwhile over time.

“You discuss in regards to the Mumbai airport … the monopoly transmission distribution firm in Mumbai, the most important port in India. These are, in my view, form of irreplaceable belongings,” added Jain.

Certainly one of his considerations is whether or not Adani, in an effort to appease traders, will take steps like issuing a dividend. “They shouldn’t be paying dividend,” he mentioned. “One of many considerations could possibly be that I hope they do not decelerate an excessive amount of simply making an attempt to pacify short-term traders, or significantly ESG traders.”

Whereas India’s year-on-year GDP development slowed to 4.4% within the quarter ending December, it’s nonetheless one of many quickest rising economies on this planet.