The India Fund, Inc.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number:    811-08266
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter:    The India Fund, Inc.
Address of principal executive offices:   

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Name and address of agent for service:   

Ms. Andrea Melia

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.

1735 Market Street 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:    800-522-5465
Date of fiscal year end:    December 31
Date of reporting period:    December 31, 2015


Item 1 - Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


LOGO

The India Fund, Inc. (IFN)
Annual Report
December 31, 2015
Aberdeen
Simply asset management.


Letter to Shareholders

 

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

We present this Annual Report which covers the activities of The India Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation, which the Fund seeks to achieve by investing primarily in the equity securities of Indian companies.

Fund Organization Update

Following an extensive due diligence process and cost benefit analysis undertaken in coordination with the Fund’s investment manager, tax advisors, and legal counsels in the U.S., India and Mauritius, the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”) determined to transition the branch operations from Mauritius and conduct operations directly from the U.S. This transition was effected as of end of day on March 31, 2015. As a result, the Fund no longer receives the benefits under the double taxation treaty between India and Mauritius. In making this decision, the Board considered that any future benefits obtained by the Fund under the Mauritius structure would be limited in light of the long-term buy-and-hold investment strategy of Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (the “Investment Manager”) and would not outweigh the continued costs of operating the Mauritius branch. The Fund will continue to use CIM Fund Services Ltd. (the “Mauritius Administrator”) until the Mauritius deregistration process is completed.

Total Return Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the total return to shareholders of the Fund based on the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund, net of fees, was -1.8%, assuming reinvestment of dividends and distributions, versus a return of -6.1% for the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI India Index1. The Fund’s total returns for the year ended December 31, 2015 are based on the reported NAV on each financial reporting period end.

Share Price and NAV

For the year ended December 31, 2015, based on market price, the Fund’s total return was -4.4%, assuming reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s share price decreased 11.9% over the twelve month period from $25.81 on December 31, 2014 to $22.74 on December 31, 2015. The Fund’s share price on December 31, 2015 represented a discount of 12.4% to the NAV per share of $25.95 on that date, compared with a discount of 10.0% to the NAV per share of $28.67 on December 31, 2014.

Targeted Discount Policy

The Fund’s targeted discount policy seeks to manage the Fund’s discount by buying back shares of common stock in the open market at times when the Fund’s shares trade at a discount of 10% or more to NAV. With the approval of the elimination of the semi-annual repurchase offers, the Board of Directors agreed to review the targeted volume-weighted average discount after a two-year period commencing from the completion of the tender offer that expired on April 3, 2014. If a 10% or less volume-weighted average discount is not attained over the two-year period, the Board may, but is not obligated to, consider other actions to address the discount. The targeted discount policy, which became effective upon the elimination of the Fund’s interval structure, extended the Fund’s prior open market repurchase policy. Under the open market repurchase policy, the Fund repurchased 360,209 shares for $8,730,657 during the year ended December 31, 2015 and 87,567 shares for $2,316,346 during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

The Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth quarters of each fiscal year is included in the Fund’s semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Fund’s most recent Form N-Q is also available to shareholders on the Fund’s website or upon request and without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465.

Proxy Voting

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available by August 30 of the relevant year: (i) upon request and without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465 and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

1


Letter to Shareholders (concluded)

 

 

 

 

Unclaimed Share Accounts

Please be advised that abandoned or unclaimed property laws for certain states require financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property (including Fund shares) to the state. Each state has its own definition of unclaimed property, and triggers generally include inactivity (e.g., no owner-generated activity for a certain period), returned mail (e.g., when mail sent to a shareholder is returned to the Fund’s transfer agent as undeliverable), or a combination of both. If your Fund shares are categorized as unclaimed, your financial advisor or the Fund’s transfer agent will follow the applicable state’s statutory requirements to contact you, but if unsuccessful, laws may require that the shares be escheated to the appropriate state. For more information on unclaimed property and how to maintain an active account, please contact your financial adviser or the Fund’s transfer agent.

Investor Relations Information

As part of Aberdeen’s commitment to shareholders, I invite you to visit the Fund on the web at www.aberdeenifn.com. From this page, you can view monthly fact sheets, portfolio manager commentary, distribution and performance information, updated daily fact sheets courtesy of Morningstar®, portfolio charting and other timely data.

Enroll in our email services and be among the first to receive the latest closed-end fund news, announcements of upcoming fund manager web casts, films and other information. In addition, you can receive electronic versions of important Fund documents including annual

reports, semi-annual reports, prospectuses, and proxy statements. Sign-up today at www.aberdeen-asset.us/aam.nsf/usclosed/email.

Please take a look at Aberdeen’s award-winning Closed-End Fund Talk Channel, where a series of fund manager webcasts and short films are posted. Visit Aberdeen’s Closed-End Fund Talk Channel at www.aberdeen-asset.us/aam.nsf/usclosed/aberdeentv.

Included within this report is a reply card with a postage paid envelope. Please complete and mail the card if you would like to be added to our enhanced email service and receive future communications from Aberdeen.

Contact Us

 

Visit us: http://www.aberdeen-asset.us/cef or www.aberdeenenifn.com

 

Watch us: www.aberdeen-asset.us/aam.nsf/usclosed/aberdeentv

 

Email us: InvestorRelations@aberdeen-asset.com

 

Call us: 1-800-522-5465 (toll free in the U.S.)

Yours sincerely,

/s/ Alan R. Goodson

Alan R. Goodson

President

 

 

All amounts are U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated.

 

1   

The MSCI India Index is designed to measure the performance of the large and mid cap segments of the Indian market. With 73 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the Indian equity universe. Indexes are unmanaged and have been provided for comparison purposes only. No fees or expenses are reflected. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

2


Report of the Investment Manager

 

 

 

Market review

Indian equities were highly volatile over the 12-month period ended December 31, 2015. Global risk appetite was suppressed early in the year by several factors, including plummeting commodity prices, Greece’s protracted financial crisis and geopolitical risks in Europe and the Middle East. However, the Indian market initially stayed relatively buoyant, as investors remained hopeful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could push through crucial reforms, while sharply lower oil prices helped narrow the current account deficit and subdue elevated inflation. Even the Reserve Bank of India felt sufficiently confident to cut its benchmark interest rate four times, providing a welcome boost to investor sentiment and the economy’s nascent recovery.

Nonetheless, offshore investors retreated when plans were unveiled to retroactively tax foreign fund managers operating in India. Although authorities later rescinded the retroactive tax demands, we think that it provided a stark reminder of the nation’s still unpredictable regulatory backdrop. While India proved more resilient than its emerging-market peers, it did not escape unscathed from August’s rout in global markets either, as wild swings in Chinese equities highlighted the mainland’s economic woes. Meanwhile, a tepid domestic corporate earnings season, as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s heavy defeat in Bihar’s state election, further disheartened investors. The gloomy mood started to lift late in the third quarter, with buyers returning to local markets. The U.S. Federal Reserve’s much-anticipated mid-December rate hike passed with little fanfare in the end, erasing some of the uncertainty that had plagued developing economies.

Fund performance review

The Fund outperformed the benchmark Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) India Index for the reporting period, as positive overall stock selection outweighed negative asset allocation.

While the materials sector was the weakest market performer over the reporting period, stock selection in the sector was the key contributor to the Fund’s relative performance, particularly the Fund’s holding in cement-maker Grasim Industries. The Fund’s position in Asian Paints also had a positive impact on performance, as the company saw higher margins due to falling raw materials costs attributable to lower oil prices. The Fund’s lack of exposure to metals and mining stocks also contributed to its performance, as many of these types of companies, including Hindalco Industries and Tata Steel, suffered from subdued demand and an abrupt drop in global metal prices.

The Fund’s healthcare holdings bolstered performance over the reporting period, buoyed by the sector’s defensive characteristics. Lupin, Piramal Enterprises and Sanofi fared particularly well. The Fund’s holding in Godrej Consumer Products was a contributor to the Fund’s performance as the company benefited from the steady recovery in fast-moving consumer goods, allowing it to gain market share in core segments and see decent growth in its international business. Additionally, stock selection in the financials sector enhanced the Fund’s performance. The Fund holds conservatively managed, privately owned banks, which we believe have better asset quality than their state-owned peers. For example, shares of HDFC Bank advanced on the back of healthy loan and margin growth, while Kotak Mahindra Bank’s stock price gained ground following its successful takeover of ING Vysya Bank. These holdings offset weaker performance from the largest detractor, ICICI Bank, which faced continued pressure from non-performing loans. More encouragingly, in our view, ICICI reported consistently decent earnings, and its balance sheet appears to be well-capitalized.

Conversely, an overweight position in the weak-performing materials sector hampered Fund performance over the reporting period. Among individual stocks, the absence of a position in Reliance Industries, which has a significant weighting in the benchmark MSCI India Index, weighed on Fund performance. Reliance Industries’ share price rose on higher refining margins and a resilient petrochemicals business, as well as the sizeable pipeline of projects it has planned for 2016. However, we remain comfortable with the Fund’s lack of exposure as we believe that we can find higher-quality alternatives that focus on returns for minority shareholders. The Fund’s underweight position in information technology (IT)–and most notably IT services provider Infosys–was a detractor, as IT was one of the most resilient sectors over the 2015 calendar year. Shares of Infosys rose in response to better-than-expected quarterly results, along with investors’ optimism that its CEO, Vishal Sikka, could return the company to its dominant position in the industry. Nonetheless, Infosys stock is one of the Fund’s key holdings, and the IT services sector remains one of the largest absolute exposures. Finally, the Fund’s holding in IT services provider Mphasis contributed to the Fund’s performance as its shares rebounded after a protracted period of weakness.

Outlook

We believe that India remains the brightest spot in an otherwise muted emerging-markets landscape. However, we feel that it is unlikely to escape unscathed from global investors’ wavering sentiment. A still subdued outlook for world growth and renewed

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

3


Report of the Investment Manager (concluded)

 

geopolitical concerns may keep markets in check in the near term. However, low oil prices could further fuel India’s economy, which continues to move in the right direction, in our view, albeit ploddingly given sizeable headwinds. However, company earnings have yet to make a discernible recovery, and firms’ reluctance to invest in their businesses could pose a threat to economic progress. Prime Minister Modi remains dedicated to his reform agenda, but is facing increasing setbacks from the opposition-controlled upper house. While we believe that the proposed new bankruptcy legislation marked a promising beginning to the new year, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill continues to be delayed, despite being firmly at the top of the government’s “to-do” list. We think that

successful passage of the GST bill, if and when it occurs, could provide a decent boost to both market sentiment and Modi’s popularity.

Regardless of inevitable swings in market sentiment and cyclical economic challenges, India remains one of our favorite investment destinations. While Indian equities are not cheap, we feel that there are still pockets of value to be found by disciplined stock-pickers. Meanwhile, we believe that the country’s growth potential is irrefutable, and we believe investors prepared to commit for the long haul should be well-rewarded.

Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

4


Total Investment Returns (unaudited)

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the average annual Fund total investment return compared to the Fund’s benchmark of MSCI India Index for the 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year periods as of December 31, 2015.

 

        1 Year        3 Years        5 Years        10 Years  

Net Asset Value (NAV)

       -1.8%           9.8%           0.6%           8.6%   

Market Value

       -4.4%           9.7%           -1.7%           5.6%   

MSCI India Index

       -6.1%           3.8%           -2.4%           7.2%   

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. (“AAMI”) has entered into an agreement with the Fund to limit investor relation services fees, without which performance would be lower. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, AAMI did not waive any investor relation service fees because the Fund did not reach the capped amount. See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements. Returns represent past performance. Total investment return at NAV is based on changes in the NAV of Fund shares and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any, at market prices pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment program. All return data at NAV includes fees charged to the Fund, which are listed in the Fund’s Statement of Operations under “Expenses”. The Fund’s total return is based on the reported NAV on each annual period end. Total investment return at market value is based on changes in the market price at which the Fund’s shares traded on the NYSE during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any, at market prices pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment program. Because the Fund’s shares trade in the stock market based on investor demand, the Fund may trade at a price higher or lower than its NAV. Therefore, returns are calculated based on both market price and NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance information provided does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on distributions received from the Fund. The current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the figures shown. The Fund’s yield, return, market price and NAV will fluctuate. Performance information current to the most recent month-end is available at www.aberdeenifn.com or by calling 800-522-5465.

The net operating expense ratio for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 was 1.32%.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

5


Portfolio Summary (unaudited)

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, in Standard & Poor’s Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sectors, expressed as a percentage of net assets. The GICS structure consists of 10 sectors, 24 industry groups, 67 industries and 156 subindustries. As of December 31, 2015, the Fund did not have more than 25% of its assets invested in any industry. The sectors, as classified by GICS sectors, are comprised of several industries.

As of December 31, 2015, the Fund held 105.8% of its net assets in equities, 0.2% in a short-term investment and (6.0%) in liabilities in excess of other assets.

 

Sectors    As a Percentage
of Net Assets
 

Financials

     23.6%   

Consumer Staples

     19.0%   

Information Technology

     18.8%   

Materials

     16.4%   

Health Care

     10.9%   

Consumer Discretionary

     8.9%   

Industrials

     5.0%   

Telecommunication Services

     2.3%   

Utilities

     0.9%   

Other

     (5.8)%   
       100.0%   

Top Ten Equity Holdings (unaudited)

 

 

The following were the Fund’s top ten holdings as of December 31, 2015:

 

Name of Security    As a Percentage
of Net Assets
 

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

     10.8%   

Infosys Ltd.

     8.3%   

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

     8.0%   

ICICI Bank Ltd.

     6.2%   

ITC Ltd.

     5.5%   

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

     5.2%   

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

     5.1%   

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.

     4.9%   

Bosch Ltd.

     4.5%   

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

     4.4%   

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

6


Portfolio of Investments

As of December 31, 2015

 

 

Shares      Description  

Value

(US$)

 

 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS—105.8%

 

 

COMMON STOCKS—105.8%

 

 

INDIA—105.8%

 

 

AUTO COMPONENTS—4.6%

 
  122,901      

Bosch Ltd. (a)

  $ 34,477,534   

 

AUTOMOBILES—4.4%

 
  820,823      

Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (a)

    33,235,172   

 

BANKS—12.7%

 
  1,767,748      

HDFC Bank Ltd. (a)

    28,858,623   
  11,914,000      

ICICI Bank Ltd. (a)

    46,994,106   
  1,920,000      

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (a)

    20,673,628   
               96,526,357   

 

CHEMICALS—3.6%

 
  2,025,880      

Asian Paints Ltd. (a)

    26,957,621   

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS—12.8%

 
  592,000      

ACC Ltd. (a)

    12,205,782   
  10,301,000      

Ambuja Cements Ltd. (a)

    31,571,095   
  250,085      

Grasim Industries Ltd. (a)

    14,137,806   
  943,000      

UltraTech Cement Ltd. (a)

    39,448,271   
               97,362,954   

 

ELECTRIC UTILITIES—0.9%

 
  6,650,920      

Tata Power Co. Ltd. (a)

    6,788,580   

 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT—1.1%

 
  499,224      

ABB India Ltd. (a)

    8,406,894   

 

FOOD PRODUCTS—3.4%

 
  296,810      

Nestle India Ltd. (a)

    26,044,898   

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS—5.1%

 
  2,970,221      

Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (a)

    38,639,402   

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES—18.8%

 
  3,770,000      

Infosys Ltd. (a)

    62,912,437   
  2,580,000      

MphasiS Ltd. (a)

    19,272,829   
  1,650,056      

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (a)

    60,491,419   
               142,676,685   

 

MACHINERY—0.9%

 
  240,430      

Cummins India Ltd. (a)

    3,718,943   
  237,758      

Thermax Ltd. (a)

    3,237,201   
               6,956,144   

 

PERSONAL PRODUCTS—5.0%

 
  1,883,240      

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (a)

    37,566,028   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

7


Portfolio of Investments (concluded)

As of December 31, 2015

 

 

Shares      Description  

Value

(US$)

 

 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

 

COMMON STOCKS (continued)

 

 

INDIA (continued)

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS—10.9%

 
  194,107      

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  $ 9,682,428   
  1,000,000      

Lupin Ltd. (a)

    27,591,821   
  981,000      

Piramal Enterprises Ltd.

    14,919,726   
  300,000      

Sanofi India Ltd. (a)

    19,712,594   
  861,000      

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (a)

    10,637,130   
               82,543,699   

 

ROAD & RAIL—3.0%

 
  1,162,000      

Container Corp. of India (a)

    23,039,635   

 

THRIFTS & MORTGAGE FINANCE—10.8%

 
  4,326,614      

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. (a)

    82,275,174   

 

TOBACCO—5.5%

 
  8,427,475      

ITC Ltd. (a)

    41,780,390   

 

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES—2.3%

 
  2,100,000      

Bharti Airtel Ltd. (a)

    10,684,426   
  1,070,000      

Bharti Infratel Ltd. (a)

    6,863,221   
               17,547,647   
        

Total Common Stocks

    802,824,814   
        

Total Long-Term Investments—105.8% (cost $423,925,293)

    802,824,814   

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT—0.2%

 
  $1,611,000      

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., 0.01% dated 12/31/2015, due 01/04/2016 repurchase price $1,611,002, collateralized by a U.S. Treasury Bond, maturing 02/15/2043; total market value of $1,644,573

    1,611,000   
        

Total Short-Term Investment—0.2% (cost $1,611,000)

    1,611,000   
        

Total Investments—106.0% (cost $425,536,293) (b)

    804,435,814   
        

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets—(6.0)%

    (45,371,708
        

Net Assets—100.0%

  $ 759,064,106   

 

(a)   Fair Valued Security. Fair Values are determined pursuant to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. See Note 2(a) of the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
(b)   See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements for tax unrealized appreciation/depreciation of securities.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

8


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

As of December 31, 2015

 

 

Assets

        

Investments, at value (cost $423,925,293)

   $ 802,824,814   

Repurchase agreement, at value (cost $1,611,000)

     1,611,000   

Foreign currency, at value (cost $3,170,698)

     3,178,947   

Cash

     532   

Prepaid expenses

     103,260   

Total assets

     807,718,553   

Liabilities

  

Dividends payable to common shareholders

     41,788,216   

Deferred foreign capital gains tax

     5,739,770   

Investment management fees payable (Note 3)

     681,695   

Investor relations fees payable (Note 3)

     56,663   

Administration fee payable (Note 3)

     53,046   

Director fees payable

     30,000   

Other accrued expenses

     305,057   

Total liabilities

     48,654,447   
          

Net Assets

   $ 759,064,106   

Composition of Net Assets:

  

Capital stock (par value $.001 per share) (Note 5)

   $ 29,247   

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     386,135,181   

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (5,378,077

Accumulated net realized gain from investments and foreign currency transactions

     5,109,754   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     373,168,001   

Net Assets

   $ 759,064,106   

Net asset value per share based on 29,247,072 shares issued and outstanding

   $ 25.95   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

9


Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

 

 

Net Investment Income

        

Income

  

Dividend income (net of foreign withholding taxes of $0)

   $ 11,046,399   

Other income

     816,612   
       11,863,011   

Expenses

  

Investment management fee (Note 3)

     8,766,934   

Administration fee (Note 3)

     721,921   

Custodian’s fees and expenses

     375,416   

Directors’ fees

     333,250   

Legal fees and expenses

     272,579   

Independent auditors’ fees

     220,704   

Investor relations fees and expenses (Note 3)

     210,261   

Reports to shareholders and proxy solicitation

     154,473   

Insurance expense

     129,280   

Foreign tax expense

     38,070   

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

     21,576   

Miscellaneous

     182,558   

Net expenses

     11,427,022   
          

Net Investment Income

     435,989   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Losses) on Investments and Foreign Currency Related Transactions

  

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

  

Investment transactions

     45,050,445   

Foreign currency transactions

     622,234   
       45,672,679   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments (including $5,739,769 change in deferred capital gains tax) (Note 2g)

     (72,518,774

Foreign currency translation

     101,037   
       (72,417,737

Net realized and unrealized (loss) from investments and foreign currency transactions

     (26,745,058

Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ (26,309,069

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

10


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

 

      For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2014
 

Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets

     

Operations:

     

Net investment income

   $ 435,989       $ 2,433,668   

Net realized gain from investments and foreign currency transactions

     45,672,679         60,555,999   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (72,417,737      169,634,146   

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (26,309,069      232,623,813   

Distributions to Shareholders from:

     

Net investment income

     (4,894,930      (3,523,266

Net realized gains

     (48,554,755      (51,656,335

Net decrease in net assets from distributions

     (53,449,685      (55,179,601

Capital Share Transactions:

     

Cost of shares tendered (0 and 5,240,267, respectively, including expenses of $232,072) (Note 5)

             (128,259,138

Cost of shares repurchased under semi-annual repurchase offer (0 and 0 shares, net of repurchase fee of $0 and $0, including expenses of $0 and $(12,128), respectively) (Note 6)

             12,128   

Repurchase of shares under open market repurchase policy (360,209 and 87,567, respectively) (Note 7)

     (8,730,657      (2,316,346

Change in net assets from capital share transactions

     (8,730,657      (130,563,356

Change in net assets resulting from operations

     (88,489,411      46,880,856   

Net Assets:

     

Beginning of year

     847,553,517         800,672,661   

End of year (including distributions in excess of net investment income of ($5,378,077) and ($1,541,364), respectively)

   $ 759,064,106       $ 847,553,517   

Amounts listed as “—” are $0 or round to $0.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

11


Financial Highlights

 

 

 

     For the Fiscal Years Ended December 31,  
      2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  
Per Share Operating Performance(a):           
Net asset value, beginning of year      $28.63        $22.92        $23.79        $21.57        $35.71   
Net investment income/(loss)      0.01 (f)      0.08        0.10        0.11        (0.02
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions      (0.91     7.40        0.05        4.44        (13.08
Income tax (expense) reversal(b)                                  0.12   
Total from investment operations      (0.90     7.48        0.15        4.55        (12.98
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:           
Net investment income      (0.16     (0.12     (0.08     (0.15     (0.02
Net realized gains      (1.66     (1.74     (0.87     (2.22     (1.09
Tax return of capital                                  (0.09
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders      (1.82     (1.86     (0.95     (2.37     (1.20
Capital Share Transactions:           
Impact due to capital shares issued from stock distribution (Note 5)                    (0.21              
Impact due to shares tendered or repurchased (Notes 5 and 6)             0.08        0.04        0.04        0.04   
Impact due to open market repurchase policy (Note 7)      0.04        0.01        0.10                 
Total capital share transactions      0.04        0.09        (0.07     0.04        0.04   
Net asset value, end of year      $25.95        $28.63        $22.92        $23.79        $21.57   
Market value, end of year      $22.74        $25.81        $20.00        $20.91        $19.04   
Total Investment Return Based on(c):           
Market value      (4.42%     37.83%        0.16%        21.70%        (42.96%
Net asset value      (1.67% )(d)      33.41% (d)      0.89%        22.22%        (36.47%
Ratio to Average Net Assets/Supplementary Data:           
Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)      $759,064        $847,554        $800,673        $877,076        $880,876   
Average net assets (000 omitted)      $862,993        $837,505        $874,054        $940,120        $1,268,468   
Net operating expenses, after income tax reversal, after reimbursement and waiver(e)      1.32%        1.47%        1.17%        1.16%        1.01%   
Net operating expenses, before income tax reversal, after reimbursement and waiver(e)      1.32%        1.47%        1.17%        1.16%        1.40% (b) 
Net operating expenses, before income tax reversal, prior to reimbursement and waiver(e)      1.32%        1.74%        1.43%        1.41%        1.44%   
Net investment income/(loss)      0.05% (f)      0.29%        0.41%        0.49%        (0.07%
Portfolio turnover      5.74%        3.28%        3.32%        36.36%        51.39%   

 

(a)   Based on average shares outstanding.
(b)   A reversal of $20,551,036 was made in 2006 to the prior year’s tax provision described below (see Note 2f). An additional reversal of $4,956,314 was made in 2011 to the same tax provision.
(c)   Total investment return based on market value is calculated assuming that shares of the Fund’s common stock were purchased at the closing market price as of the beginning of the period, dividends, capital gains, and other distributions were reinvested as provided for in the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan and then sold at the closing market price per share on the last day of the period. The computation does not reflect any sales commission investors may incur in purchasing or selling shares of the Fund. The total investment return based on the net asset value is similarly computed except that the Fund’s net asset value is substituted for the closing market value.
(d)   Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns based upon net asset value as reported.
(e)   Ratio inclusive of foreign tax expense.
(f)   Included within the net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets are the effects of an adjustment to a foreign tax liability. If such amounts were excluded, the net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been $(0.01) and -0.04%, respectively.

Amounts listed as “-” are $0 or round to $0.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

12


Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2015

 

 

1. Organization

The India Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on December 27, 1993 and commenced operations on February 23, 1994. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a non-diversified closed-end management investment company.

The Fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation, which it seeks to achieve by investing primarily in the equity securities of Indian companies.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The books and accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. Dollars.

a. Security Valuation:

The Fund values its securities at current market value or fair value, consistent with regulatory requirements. “Fair value” is defined in the Fund’s valuation and liquidity procedures as the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants without a compulsion to contract at the measurement date.

Equity securities that are traded on an exchange are valued at the last quoted sale price on the principal exchange on which the security is traded at the “Valuation Time” subject to application, when appropriate, of the valuation factors described in the paragraph below. The Valuation Time is as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). In the absence of a sale price, the security is valued at the mean of the bid/ask price quoted at the close on the principal exchange on which the security is traded. Securities traded on NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are valued at the market price of the security at the Valuation Time. A security using any of these pricing methodologies is determined to be a Level 1 investment.

Foreign equity securities that are traded on foreign exchanges that close prior to Valuation Time are valued by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above.

Valuation factors are provided by an independent pricing service provider. These valuation factors are used when pricing the Fund’s portfolio holdings to estimate market movements between the time foreign markets close and the time the Fund values such foreign securities. These valuation factors are based on inputs such as depositary receipts, indices, futures, sector indices/ETFs, exchange rates, and local exchange opening and closing prices of each security. When prices with the application of valuation factors are utilized, the value assigned to the foreign securities may not be the same as quoted or published prices of the securities on their primary markets. A security that applies a valuation factor is determined to be a Level 2 investment if the exchange-traded price has been adjusted. Valuation factors are not utilized if the independent pricing service provider is unable to provide a valuation factor or if the valuation factor falls below a predetermined threshold; in such case, the security is determined to be a Level 1 investment.

In the event that a security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closes before the Valuation Time), the security is valued at fair value as determined by the Fund’s Pricing Committee, taking into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances using valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”). A security that has been fair valued by the Pricing Committee may be classified as Level 2 or 3 based on the nature of the inputs.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures under GAAP, the Fund discloses the fair value of its investments using a three-level hierarchy that classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy assigns Level 1 measurements to valuations based upon other significant observable inputs, including unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, Level 2 measurements to valuations based upon other significant observable inputs, including adjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, and Level 3 measurements to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, which are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

13


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk); or

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2015 in valuing the Fund’s investments and other financial instruments at fair value. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Refer to the Portfolio of Investments for a detailed breakout of the security types:

 

Investments, at Value      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Long-Term Investments

                   

Pharmaceuticals

     $ 24,602,154         $ 57,941,545         $         $ 82,543,699   

Other

                 720,281,115                     720,281,115   

Short-Term Investment

                 1,611,000                     1,611,000   

Total

     $ 24,602,154         $ 779,833,660         $         $ 804,435,814   

Amounts listed as “-” are $0 or round to $0.

 

The Fund held no Level 3 securities at December 31, 2015.

For movements between the Levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing transfers at the end of each period. The utilization of valuation factors may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the securities issued by Godrej Consumer Products Ltd., MphasiS Ltd., Nestle India Ltd., Sanofi India Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. and Thermax Ltd. in the amounts of $37,566,028, $19,272,829, $26,044,898, $19,712,594, $60,491,419 and $3,237,201, respectively, transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 because there was a valuation factor applied at December 31, 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2015, there were no significant changes to the fair valuation methodologies other than described above.

b. Repurchase Agreements:

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement. It is the Fund’s policy that its custodian/counterparty segregate the underlying collateral securities, the value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. The repurchase price generally equals the price paid by the Fund plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term rates. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the collateral is valued on a daily basis to determine its adequacy. Under the Master Repurchase Agreement, if the counterparty defaults and the value of the collateral declines, or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the counterparty of the repurchase agreement, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.

Repurchase agreements are subject to contractual netting arrangements with the counterparty, Fixed Income Clearing Corp. For additional information on the Fund’s repurchase agreement, see the Portfolio of Investments. The Fund held a repurchase agreement of $1,611,000 as of December 31, 2015. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the repurchase agreement at December 31, 2015.

c. Foreign Currency Translation:

Foreign securities, currencies, and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate of said currencies against the U.S. Dollar, as of the Valuation Time, as provided by an independent pricing service approved by the Board.

Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. Dollars on the following basis:

 

(i)   market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities – at the exchange rates at the current daily rates of exchange; and

 

(ii)   purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses – at the rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Fund does not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments in equity securities that is due to changes in the foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of equity securities. Accordingly, realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses with respect to such securities are included

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

14


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2015

 

 

in the reported net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment transactions balances.

The Fund reports certain foreign currency related transactions and foreign taxes withheld on security transactions as components of realized gains for financial reporting purposes, whereas such foreign currency related transactions are treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Net unrealized currency gains or losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation/depreciation in value of investments, and translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses represent foreign exchange gains and losses from transactions in foreign currencies and forward foreign currency contracts, exchange gains or losses realized between the trade date and settlement date on security transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin, including unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. Dollar. Generally, when the U.S. Dollar rises in value against foreign currency, the Fund’s investments denominated in that foreign currency will lose value because the foreign currency is worth fewer U.S. Dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. Dollar falls in relative value.

d. Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses:

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) from security and currency transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends on foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed after the ex-dividend date. Interest income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis.

e. Distributions:

On an annual basis, the Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains, if any, by way of a final distribution to be declared during the calendar quarter ending December 31. Dividends and distributions to stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Dividends and distributions to stockholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ

from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to foreign currency losses and investments in passive foreign investment companies.

f. Federal Income Taxes:

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a “regulated investment company” by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve the Fund from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

For the year ended December 31, 2005, a provision of $25,507,350 was made for U.S. federal income tax purposes as, at that time, it was unclear whether the Fund qualified as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for the taxable year ended December 31, 2004. In order to preserve the Fund’s status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for the taxable year ended December 31, 2004, on April 20, 2006 the Fund distributed a deficiency dividend to shareholders in the amount of $1.07 per share, of which $0.95 per share was designated as a Capital Gain Dividend. Under the deficiency procedure, the maximum that the Fund could have been obligated to pay the Internal Revenue Service in interest and penalties was $4,956,314. Accordingly, a reversal of $20,551,036 was made in 2006 related to 2005 tax provision.

In October of 2011, the Fund settled this matter with the Internal Revenue Service for $2,505,900. Fifty percent of the settlement amount was characterized as interest and was deductible by the Fund; the remaining fifty percent was characterized as a penalty and was not deductible or otherwise recoverable for federal income tax purposes by the Fund. The Fund’s former service providers reimbursed the Fund for the full settlement amount. The difference of $2,450,414 between the accrual and the settlement amount was reversed. The combination of the reimbursed settlement and reversal of the prior accrual was reflected in the 2011 statement of operations.

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s U.S. federal and state tax returns for each of the four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended December 31 are subject to such review.

 

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

15


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2015

 

 

g. Foreign Withholding Tax:

Dividend and interest income from non-U.S. sources received by the Fund are generally subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes. The above taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of applicable U.S. income tax treaties with some of these countries. The Fund accrues such taxes when the related income is earned.

In addition, when the Fund sells securities within certain countries in which it invests, the capital gains realized may be subject to tax. Based on these market requirements and as required under GAAP, the Fund accrues deferred capital gains tax on securities currently held that have unrealized appreciation within these countries. The amount of deferred capital gains tax accrued is reported on the Statement of Operations as part of the Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on Investments.

In September 2014, the Indian Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) began submitting retrospective claims for a minimum alternative tax (MAT) at a rate of 18.5% on book accounting profits of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) that invest in Indian securities. Despite the general understanding of the industry that MAT was not meant to apply to foreign companies not having a business presence in India, the CBDT has taken the position that MAT applies to corporate FPIs on all income (including capital gains) for past periods extending up to seven years, through March 31, 2015. In April 2015, the CBDT clarified, verbally, that FPIs domiciled in countries benefiting from double taxation treaties with India are exempt from the MAT levy. In May 2015, the India Finance Minister announced the formation of a high-level committee to review whether the MAT should be applied retroactively to FPIs. Following the formation of the committee, the CBDT announced its instruction to its tax officials to stay MAT proceedings against FPIs and cease issuance of new notices. In September 2015, the Government of India accepted the recommendation of the Justice A.P. Shah Committee that MAT should not be levied on FPIs having no permanent establishment or place of business in India, applicable to years prior to April 1, 2015.

3. Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates

a. Investment Manager:

Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (“AAMAL”) serves as the Fund’s investment manager with respect to all investments. For its services, AAMAL receives fees at an annual rate of: (i) 1.10% for the first $500 million of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets; (ii) 0.90% for the next $500 million of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets; (iii) 0.85% of the next $500 million of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets; and (iv) 0.75% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets in excess of $1.5 billion. Managed Assets is defined in the investment management agreement as net

assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2015, AAMAL earned a gross management fee of $8,766,934.

b. Fund Administration:

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. (“AAMI”), an affiliate of AAMAL, serves as the Fund’s administrator, pursuant to an agreement effective December 19, 2014, under which AAMI receives a fee payable monthly by the Fund at an annual rate of 0.08% of the value of the Fund’s average monthly net assets. Prior to December 19, 2014, for its services, AAMI received a fee that is computed monthly at an annual rate of: (i) 0.20% of the value of the Fund’s average monthly net assets for the first $1,500 billion of the Fund’s average monthly net assets and (ii) 0.15% of the value of the Fund’s average monthly net assets in excess of $1,500 billion of the Fund’s average monthly net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Fund paid a total of $690,394 in administrative fees to AAMI.

In addition, Cim Fund Services Ltd. (the “Mauritius Administrator”) provides certain administrative services relating to the operation and maintenance of the Fund in Mauritius. The Mauritius Administrator receives a monthly fee of $1,500 and is reimbursed for certain additional expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2015, fees and expenses for the Mauritius Administrator amounted to $31,527.

c. Investor Relations:

Under the terms of the Investor Relations Services Agreement, AAMI provides investor relations services to the Fund and certain other funds advised by AAMAL or its affiliates.

Pursuant to the terms of the Investor Relations Services Agreement, AAMI provides, among other things, objective and timely information to shareholders based on publicly-available information; provides information efficiently through the use of technology while offering shareholders immediate access to knowledgeable investor relations representatives; develops and maintains effective communications with investment professionals from a wide variety of firms; creates and maintains investor relations communication materials such as fund manager interviews, films and webcasts, published white papers, magazine articles and other relevant materials discussing the Fund’s investment results, portfolio positioning and outlook; develops and maintains effective communications with large institutional shareholders; responds to specific shareholder questions; and reports activities and results to the Board and management detailing insight into general shareholder sentiment.

Effective January 1, 2015, these investor relations services fees are capped at an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average net assets.

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

16


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2015

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Fund incurred fees of approximately $204,096. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, AAMI did not waive any investor relations fees because the Fund did not reach the capped amount. Investor relations fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain out-of-pocket expenses.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, were $49,468,132 and $121,120,282, respectively.

5. Capital

The authorized capital of the Fund is 100,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Fund repurchased 360,209 shares pursuant to its open market repurchase policy. See Note 7 for further information. As of December 31, 2015, there were 29,247,072 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

On March 7, 2014, the Fund announced that in accordance with its cash tender offer (the “Offer”) to purchase up to 15% of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock, which expired at 11:59 p.m. New York City time on April 3, 2014 (the “Expiration Date”), the Fund accepted 5,240,267 properly tendered shares, representing 15% of the Fund’s outstanding shares, at a price per share of $24.4314 (the “Purchase Price”). The Purchase Price was equal to 98% of the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) on April 4, 2014. In the Offer, 15,332,556 shares, or 43.89% of the Fund’s outstanding shares, were validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date. Accordingly, under final proration, the Fund accepted for payment approximately 34.18% of the shares validly tendered in the Offer. Following the repurchase of properly tendered shares, the Fund had 29,694,848 shares outstanding.

6. Semi-Annual Repurchase Offers

At a Special Meeting of Stockholders on February 3, 2014, stockholders of the Fund voted to eliminate the Fund’s interval fund structure, effective February 3, 2014. However, the Fund maintains a targeted discount policy whereby the Fund intends to buy back shares of common stock in the open market at times when the Fund’s shares trade at a discount of 10% or more to NAV and when management reasonably believes that such repurchases may enhance stockholders’ value. See Note 7 for further information.

Prior to the elimination of the interval fund structure, the Fund made semi-annual repurchase offers pursuant to fundamental policies adopted under Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The repurchases were

made at NAV (less a 2% repurchase fee) to all stockholders in amounts permitted to be between 5% and 25% of the Fund’s then outstanding shares, as established by the Fund’s Board.

7. Targeted Discount Policy

The Fund’s targeted discount policy seeks to manage the Fund’s discount by buying back shares of common stock in the open market at times when the Fund’s shares trade at a discount of 10% or more to NAV. With the approval of the elimination of the semi-annual repurchase offers, the Board agreed to review the targeted discount percentage after a two-year period commencing from the completion of the Offer. If a 10% or less volume-weighted average discount is not attained over the two-year period, the Board may potentially consider, although it is not obligated to, other actions that may be effective to address the discount. The targeted discount policy, which became effective upon the elimination of the Fund’s interval structure, extended the Fund’s prior open market repurchase policy. Under the open market repurchase policy, the Fund repurchased 360,209 shares for $8,730,657 during the year ended December 31, 2015 and 87,567 shares for $2,316,346 during the year ended December 31, 2014.

8. Portfolio Investment Risks

a. Risks Associated with Foreign Securities and Currencies:

Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include, among others, future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, and political or social instability or diplomatic developments, which could adversely affect investments in those countries.

Certain countries also may impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets by foreign entities, including restrictions on investments in issuers of industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests. These factors may limit the investment opportunities available and result in a lack of liquidity and high price volatility with respect to securities of issuers from developing countries. Foreign securities may also be harder to price than U.S. securities.

Some countries require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if there is deterioration in a country’s balance of payments or for other reasons, a country may impose

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

17


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2015

 

 

temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances abroad. Amounts repatriated prior to the end of specified periods may be subject to taxes as imposed by a foreign country.

b. Risks Associated with Indian Markets:

The Indian securities markets are, among other things, substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. Consequently, acquisitions and dispositions of Indian securities involve special risks and considerations not present with respect to U.S. securities.

c. Sector Risk:

To the extent that the Fund has a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in a broadly

related group of industries within an economic sector, the Fund may be more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that economic sector than funds that invest more broadly.

9. Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Fund may provide general indemnifications pursuant to certain contracts and organizational documents. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund, and therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

 

10. Tax Information

The U.S. federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized appreciation as of December 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

Tax Basis of
Investments
     Appreciation      Depreciation    

Net

Unrealized

Appreciation

 
  $432,023,296       $ 379,692,773       $ (7,280,255   $ 372,412,518   

Income and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:

 

        December 31, 2015        December 31, 2014  

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary Income

     $ 4,894,930         $ 3,523,266   

Net long-term capital gains

       48,554,755           51,656,335   

Total tax character of distributions

     $ 53,449,685         $ 55,179,601   

As of December 31, 2015, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net

     $ 1,062,403   

Undistributed long-term capital gains — net

       5,156,277   

Total undistributed earnings

     $ 6,218,680   

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

       366,680,998

Total accumulated earnings/(losses) — net

     $ 372,899,678   

 

*   The tax basis of components of distributable earnings differs from the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities by temporary book/tax differences. These differences are primarily timing differences due to wash sales and passive foreign investment companies.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

18


Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)

December 31, 2015

 

 

GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. Accordingly, the table below details the necessary reclassifications, which are a result of permanent differences primarily attributable to foreign currency gains and losses. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share.

 

Distributions
in excess of
net investment
income
     Accumulated net
realized gain
from investments
and foreign
currency
transactions
 
  622,228         (622,228

11. Foreign Income Tax

Prior to April 1, 2015, the Fund conducted its investment activities in India as a tax resident of Mauritius to obtain benefits under the double taxation treaty between Mauritius and India (the “tax treaty” or “treaty”). To obtain benefits under the tax treaty, the Fund was required to meet certain tests and conditions, including the establishment of Mauritius tax residence and related requirements. The Fund obtained a certificate from the Mauritian authorities that it is a resident of Mauritius under the tax treaty between Mauritius and India. Under current regulations, a fund which is a tax resident in Mauritius under the treaty, but has no branch or permanent

establishment in India, will not be subject to capital gains tax in India on the sale of securities. The Fund, in any year that it had taxable income for Mauritius tax purposes, paid tax on its net income for Mauritius tax purposes at a rate of 15%, but was able to offset 80% of this rate through a foreign tax credit.

Following an extensive due diligence process and cost benefit analysis undertaken in coordination with the Fund’s Investment Manager, tax advisors and legal counsels in the U.S., India and Mauritius, the Board determined to transition the branch operations from Mauritius and conduct operations directly from the U.S. This transition was effected as of end of day on March 31, 2015. As a result, the Fund no longer receives the benefits under the tax treaty. In making this decision, the Board considered that any future benefits obtained by the Fund under its current structure would be limited in light of the long-term buy and hold investment strategy of the Investment Manager and would not support the continued costs of operating the Mauritius branch. The Fund will continue to use the Mauritius Administrator until the Mauritius deregistration process is completed.

12. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the Financial Statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, no disclosures and/or adjustments were required to the Financial Statements as of December 31, 2015.

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

19


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The India Fund, Inc.

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The India Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) at December 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2015 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 25, 2016

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

20


Federal Tax Information: Dividends and Distributions (unaudited)

 

 

 

The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid by The India Fund, Inc. during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:

 

Payable
Date
  

Total Cash

Distribution

    

Long-Term

Capital

Gain

    

Tax

Return of

Capital

    

Net

Ordinary

Dividend

    

Foreign

Taxes

Paid

    

Gross

Ordinary

Dividend

    

Qualified

Dividends(1)

    

Foreign

Source

Income

 
9/28/2015      0.395020         0.295290                 0.099730                 0.099730         0.099730         0.099730   
1/12/2016      1.428800         1.362100                 0.066700                 0.066700         0.066700         0.066700   

 

(1)   The Fund hereby designates the amount indicated above or the maximum amount allowable by law.

Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

 

 

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of The India Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including a majority of its members who are not considered to be “interested persons” under the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”) voting separately, approve on an annual basis the continuation of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Fund’s investment adviser, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC (“Aberdeen”). The Agreement was first approved by the Board and the Fund’s stockholders in 2011, and the Adviser has provided the investment advisory and other services contemplated by the Agreement since December 19, 2011 (the “Aberdeen Assumption Date”). At a meeting (the “Contract Renewal Meeting”) held in person on October 28, 2015, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation of the Agreement for an additional one-year term. To assist in its consideration of the renewal of the Agreement, the Board requested, received and considered a variety of information (together with other information provided at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the “Contract Renewal Information”) about the Adviser, as well as the investment advisory arrangements for the Fund and one other closed-end fund in the same complex under the Board’s supervision (the “Other Aberdeen Fund”), certain portions of which are discussed below. The presentation made by the Adviser to the Board at the Contract Renewal Meeting in connection with its evaluation of the Agreement encompassed the Fund and the Other Aberdeen Fund. In addition to the Contract Renewal Information, the Board received performance and other information throughout the year related to the services rendered by the Adviser to the Fund. The Board’s evaluation took into account the information received since the Fund’s inception, including the period

since the Aberdeen Assumption Date, and also reflected the knowledge and familiarity gained as members of the Board with respect to the investment advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Adviser under the Agreement.

Board Approval of the Agreement

In its deliberations regarding renewal of the Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered various factors, including those set forth below.

Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided to the Fund under the Agreement

The Board received and considered the Contract Renewal Information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Adviser under the Agreement during the past year. The Board also reviewed the Contract Renewal Information regarding the Fund’s compliance program established and conducted under the 1940 Act.

The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds, and responsibilities of the Fund’s senior personnel and the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board also considered, based on its knowledge of the Adviser and its affiliates, the Contract Renewal Information and the Board’s discussions with the Adviser at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the general reputation and investment performance records of the Adviser and its affiliates and the financial resources of Aberdeen available to support its activities in respect of the Fund and the Other Aberdeen Fund.

The Board considered the responsibilities of the Adviser under the Agreement, including the Adviser’s coordination and oversight of the

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

21


Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 

services provided to the Fund by other affiliated and unaffiliated parties.

In reaching its determinations regarding continuation of the Agreement, the Board took into account that the Fund’s stockholders, in pursuing their investment goals and objectives, likely considered the reputation and the investment style, philosophy and strategy of the Adviser, as well as the resources available to the Adviser, in purchasing their shares.

The Board concluded that, overall, the nature, extent, and quality of the investment advisory and other services provided to the Fund under the Agreement have been of high quality.

Fund Performance

The Board received and considered performance information and analyses for the Fund, as well as for a group of funds identified by the Adviser as comparable to the Fund regardless of asset size (the “Performance Peer Group”), prepared by Strategic Insight, an independent provider of investment company data (such information being hereinafter referred to as the “Strategic Insight Performance Information”) as part of the Contract Renewal Information. The Performance Peer Group consisted of two funds, including the Fund, for each of the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods ended June 30, 2015. The Board noted that it had received and discussed information with the Adviser at periodic intervals throughout the year comparing the Fund’s performance against its benchmark and its peer funds.

The Strategic Insight Performance Information comparing the Fund’s performance (annualized net total return) to that of the Performance Peer Group based on NAV per share showed, among other things, that the Fund’s performance for each of the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods ended June 30, 2015 was ranked second among the funds in the Performance Peer Group for that period (in these rankings, first is best). The Fund’s performance since the Aberdeen Assumption Date reflects, in part, the impact of cash held by the Fund during orderly repositioning of the Fund’s portfolio following the Aberdeen Assumption Date to reflect the Adviser’s investment strategies and philosophy. The Board noted that the small number of funds in the Performance Peer Group—two, including the Fund—made meaningful performance comparisons problematic. The Board noted further that the impact of the Fund’s former interval structure, which was ended April 4, 2014, constrained the ability of the Adviser to carry out the Fund’s investment program. In addition to the Fund’s performance relative to the Performance Peer Group, the Board considered the Fund’s performance relative to its benchmark and in absolute terms. The Contract Renewal Information showed that the Fund, based on NAV per share, outperformed its benchmark in each of the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year

periods ended June 30, 2015. The Board considered that the Fund’s performance record for the 5- and 10-year periods was achieved, in part, by a predecessor investment adviser to the Fund and did not give significant weight to performance information relating to periods prior to the Aberdeen Assumption Date.

Based on its review of performance and on other relevant factors, including those described above, the Board concluded that, under the circumstances, the Fund’s performance supported continuation of the Agreement for an additional period of one year.

Management Fees and Expenses

The Board reviewed and considered the investment advisory fee (the “Advisory Fee”) payable under the Agreement by the Fund to the Adviser in light of the nature, extent, and overall high quality of the investment advisory and other services provided by the Adviser to the Fund.

Additionally, the Board received and considered information and analyses (the “Strategic Insight Expense Information”) prepared by Strategic Insight, comparing the Advisory Fee and the Fund’s overall expenses with those of funds in an expense group (the “Expense Group”) selected and provided by Strategic Insight as part of the Contract Renewal Information. The comparison was based upon the constituent funds’ latest fiscal years. The Expense Group consisted of the Fund, one other closed-end India equity fund, three closed-end Pacific/Asia ex-Japan equity funds, six closed-end China region funds, and five miscellaneous regional funds, as classified by Strategic Insight. The Expense Group funds had portfolio assets ranging from $46 million to $1.003 billion. The Strategic Insight Expense Information, comparing the Fund’s actual total expenses to the Expense Group, showed, among other things, that the Fund’s contractual management fee, which consists of the gross advisory fee and gross administrative fee, ranked eleventh of the seventeen funds in the Expense Group (in these rankings, first is best) and was worse (i.e., higher) than the Expense Group median for that expense component, and that the Fund’s net management fee (i.e., giving effect to any voluntary fee waivers to the advisory fee and administration fee implemented by the Adviser and by the managers of the other Expense Group funds), also ranked eleventh of the seventeen funds in the Expense Group and was worse than the Expense Group median for that expense component. The Strategic Insight Expense Information showed that after all fee waivers, the Fund’s total expense ratio ranked third among the seventeen funds in the Expense Group and was better than the Expense Group median for that expense component. The Board noted the small number and varying types and sizes of funds in the Expense Group made meaningful expense comparisons difficult.

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

22


Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 

The Board also reviewed the Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the Adviser to other U.S. clients, including registered investment companies with differing mandates, and to institutional and separate accounts (collectively, “institutional accounts”). Among other things, the Board considered: (i) that the Fund is subject to heightened regulatory requirements relative to institutional accounts; (ii) that the Fund is provided with office facilities and Fund officers (including the Fund’s chief executive, chief financial and chief compliance officers); and (iii) that the Adviser coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers. The Board considered the fee comparisons in light of the different services provided in managing these other types of clients and funds.

Taking all of the above into consideration, the Board determined that the Advisory Fee was reasonable in light of the nature, extent, and overall quality of the investment advisory and other services provided to the Fund under the Agreement. The Board considered that an expense limitation agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”), dated December 19, 2011, between the Fund and the Adviser, expired on December 18, 2014. The Board also considered the advice of the Adviser at the Contract Renewal Meeting that it had reduced the Fund’s administration fee from 0.20% to 0.08% effective December 19, 2014.

Profitability

The Board, as part of the Contract Renewal Information, received an analysis of the profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund for the past year and since the Aberdeen Assumption Date. In addition, the Board received the Adviser’s revenue and cost allocation methodologies used in preparing such profitability data. The profitability analysis, among other things, indicated that profitability to the Adviser in providing investment advisory and other services to the Fund remained at a level which was not considered excessive by the Board in light of judicial guidance and the nature, extent and overall high quality of such services, notwithstanding expiration of the Expense Limitation Agreement.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and discussed the Contract Renewal Information concerning whether the Adviser would realize economies of scale if the Fund’s assets grow. The Board noted that, because the Fund is a closed-end fund with no current plans to seek additional assets beyond maintaining its dividend reinvestment plan, any significant growth in its assets generally will occur through appreciation in the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio, rather than sales of additional shares in the Fund. The Board considered that the Fund’s

interval structure until it ended operated to reduce Fund assets since the Aberdeen Assumption Date. The Board determined that the Advisory Fee structure was appropriate under present circumstances.

Other Benefits to the Adviser

The Board considered other benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates as a result of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including fees for administration and investor relation services, and did not regard such benefits as excessive.

* * * * *

In light of all of the foregoing and other relevant factors, the Board determined that, under the circumstances, continuation of the Agreement would be in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders and unanimously voted to continue the Agreement for a period of one additional year.

No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve continuation of the Agreement for the next year, and each Board member attributed different weights to the various factors. The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to the Contract Renewal Meeting, the Board received a memorandum prepared by counsel to the Fund discussing the Board’s responsibilities in connection with the proposed continuation of the Agreement as part of the Contract Renewal Information and the Independent Directors separately received a memorandum discussing such responsibilities from their independent counsel. Prior to voting, the Independent Directors discussed the proposed continuation of the Agreement in a private session with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of the Adviser were present.

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

23


Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited)

 

 

 

The Fund intends to distribute annually to stockholders substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute any net realized capital gains at least annually. Net investment income for this purpose is income other than net realized long-term and short-term capital gains net of expenses.

Pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), stockholders whose shares of common stock are registered in their own names will be deemed to have elected to have all distributions automatically reinvested by the Plan Agent in the Fund shares pursuant to the Plan, unless such stockholders elect to receive distributions in cash. Stockholders who elect to receive distributions in cash will receive such distributions paid by check in U.S. Dollars mailed directly to the stockholder by Computershare Trust Company N.A., as dividend paying agent. In the case of stockholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold shares for others who are beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the stockholders as representing the total amount registered in such stockholders’ names and held for the account of beneficial owners that have not elected to receive distributions in cash. Investors that own shares registered in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee should consult with such nominee as to participation in the Plan through such nominee, and may be required to have their shares registered in their own names in order to participate in the Plan.

The Plan Agent serves as agent for the stockholders in administering the Plan. If the Directors of the Fund declare an income dividend or a capital gains distribution payable either in the Fund’s Common Stock or in cash, nonparticipants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive Common Stock, to be issued by the Fund or purchased by the Plan Agent in the open market, as provided below. If the market price per share on the valuation date equals or exceeds NAV per share on that date, the Fund will issue new shares to participants at NAV; provided, however, that if the NAV is less than 95% of the market price on the valuation date, then such shares will be issued at 95% of the market price. The valuation date will be the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a New York Stock Exchange trading day, the next preceding trading day. If NAV exceeds the market price of Fund shares at such time, or if the Fund should declare an income dividend or capital gains distribution payable only in cash, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy Fund shares in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts on, or shortly after, the payment date. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the NAV of a Fund share, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the NAV of the Fund’s shares, resulting

in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund on the dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to open-market purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Agent will cease making open-market purchases and will receive the uninvested portion of the dividend amount in newly issued shares at the close of business on the last purchase date.

Participants have the option of making additional cash payments to the Plan Agent, annually, in any amount from $100 to $3,000, for investment in the Fund’s common stock. The Plan Agent will use all such funds received from participants to purchase Fund shares in the open market on or about February 15.

Any voluntary cash payment received more than 30 days prior to this date will be returned by the Plan Agent, and interest will not be paid on any uninvested cash payment. To avoid unnecessary cash accumulations, and also to allow ample time for receipt and processing by the Plan Agent, it is suggested that participants send in voluntary cash payments to be received by the Plan Agent approximately ten days before an applicable purchase date specified above. A participant may withdraw a voluntary cash payment by written notice, if the notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.

The Plan Agent maintains all shareholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmations of all transactions in an account, including information needed by stockholders for personal and tax records. Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Agent in the name of the participant, and each shareholder’s proxy will include those shares purchased pursuant to the Plan.

There is no charge to participants for reinvesting dividends or capital gains distributions or voluntary cash payments. The Plan Agent’s fees for the reinvestment of dividends, capital gains distributions and voluntary cash payments will be paid by the Fund. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains distributions payable either in stock or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends, capital gains distributions and voluntary cash payments made by the participant. Brokerage charges for purchasing small amounts of stock for individual accounts through the Plan are expected to be less than the usual brokerage charges for such transactions because the Plan Agent will be purchasing stock for all

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

24


Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

 

participants in blocks and prorating the lower commission thus attainable.

The receipt of dividends and distributions under the Plan will not relieve participants of any income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes in the Plan are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund and the Plan Agent reserve the right to terminate the Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments

made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to notice of the termination sent to members of the Plan at least 30 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended by the Fund or the Plan Agent, but (except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law, rules or policies of a regulatory authority) only by at least 30 days’ written notice to participants in the Plan. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at Computershare, P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170.

 

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

25


Management of the Fund (unaudited)

 

 

 

The names of the Directors and Officers of the Fund, their addresses, ages, and principal occupations during the past five years are provided in the tables below. Directors that are deemed “interested persons” (as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser are included in the table below under the heading “Interested Directors.” Directors who are not interested persons, as described above, are referred to in the table below under the heading “Independent Directors.”

Board of Directors Information

as of December 31, 2015

 

Name, Address, and Age   Position(s) Held
With the Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Number of
Funds in
Fund Complex*
Overseen by
Director
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director

Independent Directors

         

Jeswald W. Salacuse

c/o Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1938

 

Chairman of

the Board of Directors, Nominating Committee, Valuation Committee

and Audit Committee

 

Since 1993;

Current term ends at the 2018 Annual Meeting

  Mr. Salacuse has been the Henry J. Braker Professor of Commercial Law at The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University, since 1986. He has also served as International Arbitrator, Arbitration Tribunal, ICSID, World Bank since 2004.   2   None

J. Marc Hardy

c/o Cim Fund Services Ltd,

33, Edith Cavell Street,

Port Louis, Mauritius

 

Year of Birth: 1954

  Director, Audit Committee and Nominating Committee Member  

Since 2002;

Current term

ends at the

2016 Annual

Meeting

  Mr. Hardy is a qualified stockbroker and has been providing investment advice to pension and investment funds for many years through Axys Capital Management. Since October 2010, he is the investment manager of NMHGSF, a large pension fund, and acts as Treasurer to a large group where he uses extensively derivatives products to manage foreign exchange risk and improve profitability. Mr. Hardy has served as a member of the Board Investment Committee of Mauritius Union Group since January 2012, and is a member of several investment committees for highly reputable institutions.   2   Director of SBM Perpetual Fund, SBM India Fund, Hanover Reinsurance Ltd, and MDA Properties Ltd of the ENL Group.

Stephane R.F. Henry

c/o Cim Fund Services Ltd,

33, Edith Cavell Street,

Port Louis, Mauritius

 

Year of Birth: 1967

  Director, Audit Committee and Nominating Committee Member  

Since 2004

Current term ends at the 2017 Annual Meeting

  Mr. Henry has been the Chief Executive Officer of Investment Professionals Ltd. (investment management) since 2005 and a Director of Ipro Growth Fund Ltd since 2011. He is also a Director of several other funds registered in Mauritius.   1   Director of Ipro Growth Fund Ltd, Ipro Funds Ltd and Arisaig Partners (Mauritius) Ltd.

Leslie H. Gelb

c/o Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1937

  Director, Audit Committee and Nominating Committee Member  

Since 1994;

Current term

ends at the

2017 Annual

Meeting

  Mr. Gelb has been the President Emeritus of The Council on Foreign Relations since 2003. Previously, he was a Columnist, Deputy Editorial Page Editor and Editor, Op-Ed Page, of The New York Times, as well as a senior official in the departments of State and Defense.   2   Director of 31 Registered Investment Companies advised by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC and its affiliates.

Luis Rubio

c/o Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1955

  Director, Audit Committee and Nominating Committee Member  

Since 1999;

Current term

ends at the

2017 Annual

Meeting

  Mr. Rubio has been the Chairman of Centro de Investigacion para el Desarrollo, A.C. (Center of Research for Development) since 2000. He is also a frequent contributor of op-ed pieces to The Wall Street Journal.   2   Director of one registered investment company advised by Advantage Advisers L.L.C. or its affiliates.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

26


Management of the Fund (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 

Name, Address, and Age   Position(s) Held
With the Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Number of
Funds in
Fund Complex*
Overseen by
Director
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director

Interested Directors

         

Martin J. Gilbert**

Aberdeen Asset

Management PLC

10 Queen’s Terrace

Aberdeen, Scotland

AB10 1YG

 

Year of Birth: 1955

  Director  

Since 2012;

Current term

ends at the

2018 Annual

Meeting

  Mr. Gilbert is a founding director and shareholder, and Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, the holding company of the fund management group that was established in 1983. Director (1991 –present), Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited; and Director (2000–present), Aberdeen Asset Management Limited. He has been a Director since 1995, and has been President since September 2006 of Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.   29   Member of Board of British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

Hugh Young**

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1958

  Director  

Since 2012;

Current term

ends at the

2016 Annual

Meeting

  Mr. Young has been a member of the Executive Management Committee of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC since 1991. He has been Managing Director of Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited since 1991.   2   None

 

*   Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Global Income Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Chile Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Israel Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Indonesia Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Singapore Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Japan Equity Fund, Inc., The Asia Tigers Fund, Inc., The India Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Greater China Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Funds and Aberdeen Investment Funds have a common investment manager and/or investment adviser, or an investment adviser that is affiliated with the Investment Manager and Investment Adviser, and may thus be deemed to be part of the same “Fund Complex.”
**   Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Young are deemed to be interested persons because of their affiliation with the Fund’s Investment Manager.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

27


Management of the Fund (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 

Information Regarding Officers who are not Directors

 

Name, Address and Age   Position(s) Held
With the Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Officers

     

Alan Goodson*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1974

  President   Since 2011   Currently, Head of Product US, overseeing Product Management, Product Development, and Investor Services for Aberdeen’s registered and unregistered investment companies in the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Goodson is Vice President of Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. and joined Aberdeen in 2000.

Jeffrey Cotton*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1977

  Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President   Since 2011   Currently, Vice President and Head of Compliance—Americas for Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. Mr. Cotton joined Aberdeen in 2010. Prior to joining Aberdeen, Mr. Cotton was a Senior Compliance Officer at Old Mutual Asset Management (2009-2010) supporting its affiliated investment advisers and mutual fund platform. Mr. Cotton was also a VP, Senior Compliance Manager at Bank of America / Columbia Management (2006-2009).

Lucia Sitar*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1971

  Chief Legal Officer, Vice President   Since 2012   Currently, Managing U.S. Counsel for AAMI. Ms. Sitar joined AAMI in July 2007. Prior to that, Ms. Sitar was an associate attorney in the Investment Management Group of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP (law firm) (2000-2007).

Andrea Melia*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street,
32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1969

  Treasurer   Since 2011   Currently, Vice President and Head of Fund Administration – U.S. for AAMI (since 2009). Prior to joining Aberdeen, Ms. Melia was Director of Fund Administration and accounting oversight for Princeton Administrators LLC, a division of BlackRock Inc. and had worked with Princeton Administrators since 1992.

Megan Kennedy*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street,
32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1974

 

Secretary,

Vice President

  Since 2011   Currently, Head of Product Management for Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. Ms. Kennedy joined Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. in 2005 as a Senior Fund Administrator. Ms. Kennedy was promoted to Assistant Treasurer Collective Funds/North American Mutual Funds in February 2008 and promoted to Treasurer Collective Funds/North American Mutual Funds in July 2008.

Adrian Lim*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1971

  Vice President   Since 2012   Currently, Senior Investment Manager on the Asian Equities Team. Adrian joined Aberdeen in 2000 as a manager in private equity on the acquisition of Murray Johnstone and transferred to his current position soon after.

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

28


Management of the Fund (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

 

Name, Address and Age   Position(s) Held
With the Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Bev Hendry*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1953

  Vice President   Since 2014   Co-Head of Americas and Chief Financial Officer for Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. since July 2014. He first joined Aberdeen in 1987 and helped establish Aberdeen’s business in the Americas in Fort Lauderdale. Mr. Hendry left Aberdeen in 2008 when the company moved to consolidate its headquarters in Philadelphia. Mr. Hendry re-joined Aberdeen from Hansberger Global Investors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he worked for six years as Chief Operating Officer.

Jennifer Nichols*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1978

  Vice President   Since 2011   Currently, Global Head of Legal for Aberdeen. Director, Vice President for AAMI (since October 2006).

Christian Pittard*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1973

  Vice President   Since 2011   Currently, Group Head of Product Opportunities for Aberdeen Asset Management PLC and Director of Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited since 2010. Previously, Director and Vice President (2006-2008), Chief Executive Officer (from October 2005 to September 2006) of Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.

Kasey Deja*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1979

  Assistant Secretary   Since 2012   Currently, Senior Product Manager within Product Management for AAMI. Ms. Deja joined Aberdeen in 2005 as an Analyst in Investment Operations and transferred to the U.S. Transitions Team in 2007. In 2009, she became Manager of the U.S. Transitions Team and transferred to her current position in 2011.

Sharon Ferrari*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1977

  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2013   Currently, Senior Fund Administration Manager for AAMI. Ms. Ferrari joined AAMI as a Senior Fund Administrator in 2008. Prior to joining AAMI, Ms. Ferrari was an Accounting Analyst at Delaware Investments.

Sofia Rosala*

c/o Aberdeen Asset

Management Inc.

Attn: US Legal

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor,

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Year of Birth: 1974

  Deputy Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President   Since 2013   Currently U.S. Counsel / Deputy Fund CCO. She joined Aberdeen in 2012. Prior to joining Aberdeen, she worked as an Associate for Morgan, Lewis and Bockius and as Corporate Counsel and Vice President at SEI Investments Company.

 

*   As of December 2015, Messrs. Goodson, Cotton, Lim, Hendry, and Pittard and Mses. Sitar, Melia, Kennedy, Nichols, Deja, Ferrari, and Rosala hold officer position(s) in one or more of the following: Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Global Income Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Israel Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Indonesia Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Chile Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Singapore Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Japan Equity Fund, Inc., The India Fund, Inc., The Asia Tigers Fund, Inc., Aberdeen Greater China Fund, Inc., the Aberdeen Funds and Aberdeen Investment Funds, each of which may also be deemed to be a part of the same “Fund Complex.”

 

The India Fund, Inc.

 

29


Corporate Information

 

 

 

Directors

Leslie H. Gelb

Martin Gilbert

J. Marc Hardy

Stephane R. F. Henry

Nisha Kumar (as of January 1, 2016)

Nancy Yao Maasbach (as of January 1, 2016)

Luis F. Rubio

Jeswald W. Salacuse, Chairman

Hugh Young

Officers

Alan Goodson, President

Jeffrey Cotton, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer

Andrea Melia, Treasurer

Lucia Sitar, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Megan Kennedy, Vice President and Secretary

Sofia Rosala, Vice President and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer

Adrian Lim, Vice President

Bev Hendry, Vice President

Jennifer Nichols, Vice President

Christian Pittard, Vice President

Kasey Deja, Assistant Secretary

Sharon Ferrari, Assistant Treasurer

Investment Manager

Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited

21 Church Street

#01-01 Capital Square Two

Singapore 049480

Administrator

Aberdeen Asset Management, Inc.

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Mauritius Administrator

Cim Global Business Fund Services, Ltd.

33, Edith Cavell Street,

Port Louis, Mauritius

 

Custodians

State Street Bank and Trust Company

1 Iron Street, 5th Floor

Boston, MA 02110

Deutsche Bank (Mauritius) Limited

Fourth Floor

Barkly Wharf East

Le Caudan Waterfront

Port Louis, Mauritius

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 20170

College Station, TX

77842-3170

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Fund Legal Counsel

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Independent Director Legal Counsel

Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young LLP

2005 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Investor Relations

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

1-800-522-5465

InvestorRelations@aberdeen-asset.com

 

 

LOGO

Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, shares of its common stock in the open market.

Shares of The India Fund, Inc. are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “IFN”. Information about the Fund’s net asset value and market price is available at www.aberdeenifn.com.

This report, including the financial information herein, is transmitted to the shareholders of The India Fund, Inc. for their general information only. It does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.


LOGO

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To enroll, follow these simple steps:
1. Go to http://www.aberdeen-asset.us/cef
2. Click on the link for “Email Services” - under “Tools and Resources”, which takes you to http://www.aberdeen-asset.us/aam.nsf/usclosed/email
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Item 2 - Code of Ethics.

As of December 31, 2015, the Registrant had adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Registrant or a third party (the “Code of Ethics”). During the period covered by this report, there were no material changes to the Code of Ethics. During the period covered by this report, there were no waivers to the provisions of the Code of Ethics. A copy of the Code of Ethics has been filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

Item 3 - Audit Committee Financial Expert.

As of December 31, 2015, the Registrant’s Board of Directors had determined that Mr. J. Marc Hardy, a member of the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee, possesses the attributes, and has acquired such attributes through means, identified in instruction 2 of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” and has designated Mr. Hardy as the Audit Committee’s financial expert. Mr. Hardy is an “independent” Director pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.

Item 4 - Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) – (d) Below is a table reflecting the fee information requested in Items 4(a) through (d):

 

Fiscal Year Ended

   (a)
Audit Fees
     (b)
Audit-Related Fees
     (c)
Tax Fees(1)
     (d)
All Other Fees
 

December 31, 2015

   $ 104,500       $ 0       $ 45,745       $ 75,000 (2) 

December 31, 2014

   $ 102,500       $ 0       $ 57,065       $ 180,000 (3) 

 

  (1) Services include tax services in connection with the Registrant’s excise tax calculations and review of the registrant’s applicable tax returns.
  (2) Services incurred in connection with the transition of branch operations from Mauritius in order to conduct operations directly from the U.S. This transition was effected as of end of day on March 31, 2015.
  (3) Restated to reflect services incurred in connection with the transition of branch operations from Mauritius in order to conduct operations directly from the U.S. This transition was effected as of end of day on March 31, 2015.

 

(e)(1)

The Registrant’s Audit Committee (the “Committee”) has adopted a charter that provides that the Committee shall bear direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Registrant’s independent auditors for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Registrant. The Committee shall also evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the Registrant’s independent auditors, including whether the auditors provide any consulting services to the Investment Manager or its affiliated companies, and receive the auditors’ specific representations as to their independence. The Charter also provides that the Committee shall, to the extent required by applicable law, pre-approve: (i) all audit and permissible non-audit services1 that the Registrant’s independent auditors provide to the Registrant, and (ii) all non-audit services that the Registrant’s independent auditors provide to the Investment Manager and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Registrant, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant; provided that the Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee prior to their ratification by the Committee. Pursuant to the Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies, as amended on


  May 12, 2015, individual tax or audit-related services that fall within certain enumerated categories and are not presented to the Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process may be pre-approved, if deemed consistent with the independent auditor’s independence, by the Chairman (or any other Committee member who is a disinterested director under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to whom this responsibility has been delegated) so long as the estimated fee for the services does not exceed $75,000. Any such pre-approval shall be reported to the full Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

(e)(2) None of the services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item involved a waiver of the pre-approval requirement by the Audit Committee pursuant to Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.

 

(f) Not Applicable.

 

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to the Registrant’s Investment Manager (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the Registrant was $2,731,778 for 2015 and $2,300,584 for 2014.

 

(h) The Registrant’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Registrant’s Investment Manager (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence and has concluded that it is.

Item 5 - Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a) The Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)).

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Audit Committee members were:

Leslie H. Gelb

J. Marc Hardy

Stephane R.F. Henry

Luis F. Rubio

Jeswald W. Salacuse

 

(b) Not applicable

Item 6 - Investments.

 

(a) Included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

(b) Not applicable.


Item 7 - Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Pursuant to the Registrant’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures, the Registrant has delegated responsibility for its proxy voting to its Investment Manager, provided that the Registrant’s Board of Directors has the opportunity to periodically review the Investment Manager’s proxy voting policies and material amendments thereto.

The proxy voting policies of the Registrant are included herewith as Exhibit (c) and policies of the Investment Manager are included as Exhibit (d).

Item 8 - Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

  (a)(1) The information in the table below is as of March 4, 2016.

 

Individual & Position

  

Services Rendered

  

Past Business Experience

Hugh Young

Managing Director

   Responsible for equities globally from the Singapore office.    Currently Managing Director and group head of equities as well as a member of the executive committee responsible for Aberdeen’s day-to-day running. Co-founded Singapore-based Aberdeen Asia in 1992 having been recruited in 1985 to manage Asian equities from London.

Adrian Lim

Senior Investment Manager

Equities - Asia

   Responsible for Asian equities portfolio management.    Currently a Senior Investment Manager of Asian Equities. Mr. Lim joined Aberdeen from Murray Johnstone in December 2000. He was previously an associate director at Arthur Andersen advising clients on mergers & acquisitions in South East Asia. He moved from private equity to the Asian Equities team in July 2003.

Kristy Fong

Senior Investment Manager

Asia Equities

   Responsible for Asian equities portfolio management.    Currently a Senior Investment Manager on the Asian Equities Team. Kristy joined Aberdeen in 2004 from UOB KayHian Pte Ltd where she was an Analyst.

James Thom

Senior Investment Manager

Equities - Asia

   Responsible for Asian equities portfolio management.    Currently a Senior Investment Manager on the Asian Equities Team. He joined Aberdeen in 2010 from Actis, an Emerging Markets Private Equity firm.

Flavia Cheong

Investment Director

Equities - Asia

   Responsible for company research and oversight of portfolio construction.    Currently an Investment Director of Asian Equities. Joined Aberdeen in 1996. Before joining Aberdeen, she was an economist with the Investment Company of the People’s Republic of China, and earlier with the Development Bank of Singapore.

Effective January 31, 2016, James Thom replaced Chou Chong as part of the team having the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Registrant’s portfolio and joined Hugh Young, Adrian Lim, Kristy Fong, and Flavia Cheong.

 

  (a)(2) The information in the table below is as of December 31, 2015.


Name of
Portfolio
Manager
   Type of Accounts    Total
Number
of
Accounts
Managed
   Total Assets ($M)      Number of
Accounts
Managed for
Which
Advisory
Fee is Based
on
Performance
  

Total Assets for

Which
Advisory Fee is

Based on
Performance ($M)

 
Hugh Young    Registered Investment Companies    22    $ 9,513.20       0    $ 0   
   Pooled Investment Vehicles    83    $ 49,009.59       1    $ 101.63   
   Other Accounts    137    $ 39,102.66       16    $ 5,883.35   
Adrian Lim    Registered Investment Companies    22    $ 9,513.20       0    $ 0   
   Pooled Investment Vehicles    83    $ 49,009.59       1    $ 101.63   
   Other Accounts    137    $ 39,102.66       16    $ 5,883.35   
Kristy Fong    Registered Investment Companies    22    $ 9,513.20       0    $ 0   
   Pooled Investment Vehicles    83    $ 49,009.59       1    $ 101.63   
   Other Accounts    137    $ 39,102.66       16    $ 5,883.35   
James Thom    Registered Investment Companies    22    $ 9,513.20       0    $ 0   
   Pooled Investment Vehicles    83    $ 49,009.59       1    $ 101.63   
   Other Accounts    137    $ 39,102.66       16    $ 5,883.35   
Flavia Cheong    Registered Investment Companies    22    $ 9,513.20       0    $ 0   
   Pooled Investment Vehicles    83    $ 49,009.59       1    $ 101.63   
   Other Accounts    137    $ 39,102.66       16    $ 5,883.35   

Total Assets are as of December 31, 2015 and have been translated into U.S. Dollars at a rate of £1.00 = 1.47.


In accordance with legal requirements in the various jurisdictions in which they operate, and their own Conflicts of Interest policies, all subsidiaries of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, (together Aberdeen), have in place arrangements to identify and manage Conflicts of Interest that may arise between them and their clients or between their different clients. Where Aberdeen does not consider that these arrangements are sufficient to manage a particular conflict, it will inform the relevant client(s) of the nature of the conflict so that the client(s) may decide how to proceed.

The portfolio managers’ management of “other accounts”, including (1) mutual funds; (2) other pooled investment vehicles; and (3) other accounts that may pay advisory fees that are based on account performance (“performance-based fees”), may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of a Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as a Fund. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the portfolio manager could favor one account over another. However, Aberdeen believes that these risks are mitigated by the fact that: (i) accounts with like investment strategies managed by a particular portfolio manager are generally managed in a similar fashion, subject to exceptions to account for particular investment restrictions or policies applicable only to certain accounts, differences in cash flows and account sizes, and similar factors; and (ii) portfolio manager personal trading is monitored to avoid potential conflicts. In addition, Aberdeen has adopted trade allocation procedures that require equitable allocation of trade orders for a particular security among participating accounts.

In some cases, another account managed by the same portfolio manager may compensate Aberdeen based on the performance of the portfolio held by that account. The existence of such performance-based fees may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities.

Another potential conflict could include instances in which securities considered as investments for a Fund also may be appropriate for other investment accounts managed by Aberdeen or its affiliates. Whenever decisions are made to buy or sell securities by the Fund and one or more of the other accounts simultaneously, Aberdeen may aggregate the purchases and sales of the securities and will allocate the securities transactions in a manner that it believes to be equitable under the circumstances. As a result of the allocations, there may be instances where the Fund will not participate in a transaction that is allocated among other accounts. While these aggregation and allocation policies could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the securities available to a Fund from time to time, it is the opinion of Aberdeen that the benefits from the Aberdeen organization outweigh any disadvantage that may arise from exposure to simultaneous transactions. Aberdeen has adopted policies that are designed to eliminate or minimize conflicts of interest, although there is no guarantee that procedures adopted under such policies will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

(a)(3)

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC’s (“Aberdeen”) remuneration policies are designed to support its business strategy as a leading international asset manager. The objective is to attract, retain and reward talented individuals for the delivery of sustained, superior returns for Aberdeen’s clients and shareholders. Aberdeen operates in a highly competitive international employment market, and aims to maintain its strong track record of success in developing and retaining talent.

Aberdeen’s policy is to recognize corporate and individual achievements each year through an appropriate annual bonus scheme. The aggregate value of awards in any year is dependent on the group’s overall performance and profitability. Consideration is also given to the levels of bonuses paid in the market. Individual awards, which are payable to all members of staff are determined by a rigorous assessment of achievement against defined objectives.


A long-term incentive plan for key staff and senior employees comprises of a mixture of cash and deferred shares in Aberdeen PLC or select Aberdeen funds (where applicable). Overall compensation packages are designed to be competitive relative to the investment management industry.

Base Salary

Aberdeen’s policy is to pay a fair salary commensurate with the individual’s role, responsibilities and experience, and having regard to the market rates being offered for similar roles in the asset management sector and other comparable companies. Any increase is generally to reflect inflation and is applied in a manner consistent with other Aberdeen employees; any other increases must be justified by reference to promotion or changes in responsibilities.

Annual Bonus

Aberdeen’s policy is to recognize corporate and individual achievements each year through an appropriate annual bonus scheme. The Remuneration Committee of Aberdeen determines the key performance indicators that will be applied in considering the overall size of the bonus pool. In line with practice amongst other asset management companies, individual bonuses are not subject to an absolute cap. However, the aggregate size of the bonus pool is dependent on the group’s overall performance and profitability. Consideration is also given to the levels of bonuses paid in the market. Individual awards are determined by a rigorous assessment of achievement against defined objectives, and are reviewed and approved by the Remuneration Committee.

Aberdeen has a deferral policy which is intended to assist in the retention of talent and to create additional alignment of executives’ interests with Aberdeen’s sustained performance and, in respect of the deferral into funds, managed by Aberdeen, to align the interest of asset managers with our clients.

Staff performance is reviewed formally at least once a year. The review process evaluates the various aspects that the individual has contributed to Aberdeen, and specifically, in the case of portfolio managers, to the relevant investment team. Discretionary bonuses are based on client service, asset growth and the performance of the respective portfolio manager. Overall participation in team meetings, generation of original research ideas and contribution to presenting the team externally are also evaluated.

In the calculation of a portfolio management team’s bonus, Aberdeen takes into consideration investment matters (which include the performance of funds, adherence to the company investment process, and quality of company meetings) as well as more subjective issues such as team participation and effectiveness at client presentations. To the extent performance is factored in, such performance is not judged against any specific benchmark and is evaluated over the period of a year - January to December. The pre- or after-tax performance of an individual account is not considered in the determination of a portfolio manager’s discretionary bonus; rather the review process evaluates the overall performance of the team for all of the accounts the team manages.

Portfolio manager performance on investment matters is judged over all of the accounts the portfolio manager contributes to and is documented in the appraisal process. A combination of the team’s and individual’s performance is considered and evaluated.

Although performance is not a substantial portion of a portfolio manager’s compensation, Aberdeen also recognizes that fund performance can often be driven by factors outside one’s control, such as (irrational) markets, and as such pays attention to the effort by portfolio managers to ensure integrity of our core process by sticking to disciplines and processes set, regardless of momentum and ‘hot’ themes. Short-terming is thus discouraged and trading-oriented managers will thus find it difficult to thrive in the Aberdeen environment. Additionally, if any of the aforementioned undue risks were to be taken by a portfolio manager, such trend would be identified via Aberdeen’s dynamic compliance monitoring system.


(a)(4)

 

Individual    Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Registrant
Beneficially Owned by the Portfolio Manager as
of December 31, 2015

Hugh Young

   $10,001-$50,000

Adrian Lim

   None

Kristy Fong

   None

James Thom

   None

Flavia Cheong

   None

(b) Not applicable.

Item 9 - Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

REGISTRANT PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

  (a)
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased
    (b)
Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)
    (c)
Total Number
of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
    (d)
Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value)
of Shares
(or Units)
that May
Yet Be  Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (1)
 

January 1, 2015 through January 31, 2015

    None        None        None        2,486,920   

February 1, 2015 through February 28, 2015

    None        None        None        2,486,920   

March 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015

    None        None        None        2,486,920   

April 1, 2015 through April 30, 2015

    None        None        None        2,486,920   

May 1, 2015 through May 31, 2015

    2,800      $ 25.78        2,800        2,484,120   

June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015

    None        None        None        2,484,120   

July 1, 2015 through July 31, 2015

    15,700      $ 26.61        15,700        2,468,420   

August 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015

    47,569      $ 26.00        47,569        2,420,851   

September 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015

    55,101      $ 24.09        55,101        2,365,750   

October 1, 2015 through October 31, 2015

    54,213      $ 25.31        54,213        2,311,537   

November 1, 2015 through November 30, 2015

    90,948      $ 23.61        90,948        2,220,589   

December 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015

    93,878      $ 22.90        93,878        2,126,711   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    360,209      $ 24.22        360,209        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  The open market repurchase policy was authorized on October 30, 2012. The program authorizes management to make open market purchases from time to time in an aggregate amount up to 10% of the Fund’s outstanding shares, as of a date determined by the Board. Such purchases may be made when the Fund’s shares are trading at certain discounts to net asset value.


Item 10 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

During the period ended December 31, 2015, there were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Directors.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a) The Registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d15(b)).

 

  (b) There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the Registrant’s last fiscal half-year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1) Code of ethics, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2(f) is attached hereto.

 

  (a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

  (a)(3) Not applicable.

 

  (b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

  (c) Registrant’s Proxy Voting Policies

 

  (d) Investment Manager’s Proxy Voting Policies

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant)     The India Fund, Inc.                                    

 

By (Signature and Title):  

/s/ Alan Goodson

  Alan Goodson, Principal Executive Officer

Date: March 4, 2016

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title):  

/s/ Alan Goodson

  Alan Goodson, Principal Executive Officer

Date: March 4, 2016

 

By (Signature and Title):  

/s/ Andrea Melia

  Andrea Melia, Principal Financial Officer

Date: March 4, 2016