In this edition of ETMarkets AIF Talk, we speak with Shailesh Agarwal, Head – Fund Management & Strategy at Welspun One Logistics Parks, which manages over Rs 6,400 crore in assets under its warehousing and logistics portfolio.
Despite market turbulence, Agarwal says the fund hasn’t made any tactical shifts—instead, it continues to bet on long-term resilience through Grade-A warehousing, strong tenants, and a diversified asset pipeline.
With sights set on crossing the $1 billion AUM mark by end-2025, he shares why real asset-backed AIFs are emerging as the preferred play for stability, scalability, and inflation-hedged returns in FY26.
Edited Excerpts –
Q) What is the AUM the fund manager is managing?
A) Welspun One Logistics Parks currently manages peak assets under management (AUM) of ~₹6,400 crore (~USD 770 million) across its warehousing and logistics portfolio.
This includes capital raised and deployed under Fund 1 and Fund 2. We’re on track to cross USD 1 billion in AUM by CY25-end, backed by growing investor confidence, co-investment structures, and a strong asset pipeline across key logistics corridors.
Our real estate-backed AIFs offer long-term stability, underpinned by leased assets, consistent returns, and demand-led scalability.
Q) How are AIF Fund managers like yours managing the tariff volatility in April?
A) Tariff-driven volatility is making investors rethink asset allocation strategies. In this environment, asset-backed AIFs offer visibility, resilience and superior risk adjusted returns.At Welspun One, we’re seeing increased interest in Grade-A warehousing, backed by long leases, strong tenants, and growing demand across e-commerce, consumption, and manufacturing.With the changing tariff regime likely to impact several businesses across the globe, logistics infrastructure backed by strong domestic demand becomes a reliable hedge against policy shocks. Our strategy stays focused: diversify, de-risk, and invest in India’s real growth story.
Q) Any rejig that you have made to tackle volatility to safeguard capital in April?
A) We haven’t reacted tactically. Our strategy has always prioritized resilience over short-term gains. Warehousing remains a natural hedge – real, income-generating, and future-ready.
Global uncertainty from shifting trade routes to potential dumping by China underscores the need for selectivity and patience. We’re doubling down on asset quality and diversification across warehousing formats, from port-led to in-city and regional nodes.
The goal is simple: safeguard capital while staying aligned with India’s structural growth levers.
Q) What is your advice to investors in the beginning of FY26?
A) Despite global headwinds, India’s fundamentals remain strong, buoyed by consumption, infra growth, and capital market depth.
That’s why in this volatile public markets environment, investors are turning to AIFs, especially real asset-backed ones, for stable, yield-driven exposure, given they are leased to blue-chip tenants, inflation-hedged, and anchored in real demand.
In a world clouded by policy unpredictability, real assets offer reliability in returns. For FY26, the advice is simple: prioritize stability, scalability, and sectors linked to India’s long-term growth momentum.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
