New Delhi, Nov. 8 -- As an investor, Bertie thinks of himself as a drone. Not that he harbours any delusions of being able to fly, at least not while sober. The analogy stems from his self-image as someone who can survey the investment landscape from a few hundred feet before swooping down to examine an area of interest more closely.

Bertie's professional engagements last week reflected the wide canvas he likes to paint on. A Wall Street bank was hosting an exclusive meeting with a visiting global macro economist for a select group of high-powered chief investment officers (CIOs). The venue was the ballroom of a five-star hotel. Bertie's sharp eye, however, did not miss the contradiction between the words 'select group' and the size of t...