Buffett open to large buyout opportunities in India

Bangalore, Mar 23 (PTI) Describing himself as having
"lucky genes" for doing business, the world's leading investor
Warren Buffett Wednesday indicated that his sprawling
conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway would be open to buyouts in
India.
At some point in the next six months or two years or
five years, when some large Indian corporation looks for a
"permanent new home" and believes that Berkshire Hathaway
is "best place in the world", they "don't forget me", he said.
The American multi-billionaire investor, who is on his
maiden visit to India, showered praise on the warmth extended
to him here. "I am just overwhelmed by the welcome I have
received from the moment we got here. They treat me much
better in India than they do in the United States," he said.
On the second day of his visit, Buffett held several
top-level interactions, including a meeting with Karnataka
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.
"This is a country (India) on the move," said the
world's third richest man at an interactive session organised
by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Praising India and China, he said both the countries
were "exploding" in terms of opening up human potential.
Berkshire Hathaway has most of its investments in the
US. The conglomerate recently forayed into India's non-life
insurance sector as corporate agent of Bajaj Allianz General.
In response to a query on how much percentage has luck
contributed to his success, Buffett said, "I have been
enormously lucky. I had very, very lucky genes."
According to him, 1930 -- the year he was born -- was
a "wonderful time" to be born in the US. Buffett said had he
been born in a different society, "he would not have (had)
same chances".
"Personally, I would much prefer not to be born rich",
he said and added that he would like to be born with "certain
talent" that's useful to the society so that it could lead to
good life.
"When I come back (to India), I will be 100 in 2030,"
he joked, but added that he planned to come back much before
that and was hopeful of seeing business expand here by then.
"We want to be where the action is and the action is
here," said Buffett, who yesterday admitted to having made a
late entry into India.
Buffett, who has pledged 99 per cent of his wealth to
social causes, is in India to further philanthropy initiative.
Meanwhile, Infosys CEO Kris Gopalakrishnan, who
attended the CII session, said that Buffett and Bill Gates are
"great examples" of philanthropy.
He added, however, "There are great examples in India
also. So, I think we need to talk about these examples and
people will follow (with philanthropic activities). I don't
think it should be made mandatory (for companies)."