MUMBAI, April 3 (Reuters) - Blackstone will

invest at least $2 billion a year in India for the next five

years, a top company executive said, citing the country's

fast-growing economy and booming capital markets.

The U.S investment firm counts India among its top markets,

and its third biggest by equity investments with a current

holding of $30 billion.

It plans to target companies in areas such as healthcare,

financial services and energy transition, Asia Private Equity

head Amit Dixit said in a press briefing.

The firm, which is also India's biggest landlord with over

120 million square feet (11.1 million square metres), plans to

invest a total of $17 billion in India in the coming years and

expects its portfolio companies to create $7.5 billion in value,

although Dixit did not give a timeline.

India's stock markets are trading at record highs and seeing

more initial public offerings (IPOs) than other parts of Asia.

Blackstone plans to list at least two of its companies this year

at multibillion-dollar valuations, Reuters has reported.

Despite a "traffic jam" of IPOs this year, Blackstone's bet

on selling stakes in stock markets has "paid off", and it

expects IPO markets to improve, chief operating officer Jon Gray

said.

While noting India's improving infrastructure and moves to

attract foreign investors, Gray said changing the country's

privatisation requirements would help investors further. Indian

laws currently need 90% shareholder approval to take a listed

company private, more than many other large markets.