Asian stocks are trading mixed in early trades today. Japan's Nikkei was flat at 17,055.49 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined 0.13%, or 36.48 points, at 28,163.27.

However, Taiwan Weighted rose 0.79%, or 75.97 points, at 9,699.22 while Singapore's Straits Times surged 1.02%, or 38.76 points, at 3,832.59.

Korea and China have a trading holiday today.

James Chirnside of Asia Pacific Asset Management said there is very strong demand from foreign institutional investors for Indian stocks at present.

Excerpts from CNBC-TV18’s exclusive interview with James Chirnside:

Q: It is very quiet across all Asia this morning?

A: It is a bit quiet as there have been a few public holidays around the region over the last few days. Market participants continue to monitor events as they emerge from the US in respect of the credit crunch.

Q: What are you expecting from India because there has been this conscious shift of money flow especially into developing markets?

A: Yes, it is interesting. A month ago we saw risk emerge as a major problem for markets globally. Now, it seems to have subsided quite significantly. In fact, India has performed extremely well during this recovery phase. In September, there was record FII buying. The foreign institutional buzz for Indian equities has coincided with the nine-year high for the rupee against the dollar. So, there is very strong demand from foreign institutional investors for Indian stocks at present.

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