# Prem Watsa bets on India's economic boom with IDBI Bank

> Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa says India's economic boom will last a decade, backing his $5.6 billion IDBI Bank stake.
- Title: Prem Watsa bets on India's economic boom with IDBI Bank
- Summary: Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa says India's economic boom will last a decade, backing his $5.6 billion IDBI Bank stake. Prem Watsa, chairman of Fairfax…
- Keywords: idbi bank, fairfax financial, prem watsa, india economic boom, idbi bank deal, fairfax ai investment, Prem, Watsa, bets, India's, economic, boom
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/looking-to-ride-india-boom-over-next-decade-with-idbi-bank-says-fairfax-chief-prem-watsa/articleshow/134976237.cms
- Author: Mohit Bhalla and Sruthijith KK
- Published: 2026-10-16T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: idbi bank, fairfax financial, prem watsa, india economic boom, idbi bank deal, fairfax ai investment
## Prem Watsa's investment
Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa says India is in a sustained economic boom that will last the next decade.

> You’re going to get an economic boom in India for the next 10 years, I think, of very significant proportions
## Fairfax Financial's stake
Fairfax Financial has secured a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank, the first foreign majority investment in a government-backed lender.
## India's economic outlook
Prem Watsa predicts India's economic growth will continue for a decade after recent financial improvements.
## RBI approval for expansion
The RBI recently lifted expansion restrictions for IDBI Bank after it recovered from losses between 2017 and 2020.
## AI investment caution
Prem Watsa warns against AI hype, saying Fairfax has zero bets on AI despite current US-focused data center investments.

> Money is going into data centres and AI and all of it’s in US and that might change and the money will go to countries like India
## Key takeaway

Prem Watsa, chairman of Fairfax Financial, says India's economic boom will last a decade, backing his $5.6 billion investment in IDBI Bank.