Introduction
India, officially the Republic of India, is located in southern Asia and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. India consists geographically of the entire Indian Peninsula and portions of the Asian mainland. To its north lies Afghanistan, China, Nepal, and Bhutan; to its east is Bangladesh, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), and the Bay of Bengal; Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar (which separate it from Sri Lanka) and the Indian Ocean are to the south; and on the west is the Arabian Sea and Pakistan.
With a population of approximately 1.44 billion, India is the most populous country in the world, having surpassed China in 2023. The current leadership of India continues to implement sweeping changes to encourage international business, from privatization to the liberalization of trade. India’s technology sector, centered in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune, has made it a global leader in IT services and software development.
The current leadership of India is implementing sweeping changes to encourage international business in India, from privatization to the liberalization of trade. India surpassed China to become the world’s most populous country in 2023.
Hofstede Analysis
India’s highest dimension is Power Distance (77), reflecting a society that accepts hierarchical order as a given. The traditional caste system has been outlawed, but attitudes toward social stratification remain deeply embedded in daily life, business interactions, and organizational structure.
India scores moderately on Individualism (48) and Masculinity (56), placing it near the midpoint on both dimensions — indicative of a culture in transition between traditional collectivist values and the individualism emerging in its rapidly growing urban middle class.
Low Uncertainty Avoidance (40) means Indians are generally comfortable with ambiguity and open to unstructured ideas and situations. Low Indulgence (26) reflects a more restrained culture where gratification of desires is regulated by social norms.
Religion. India is predominantly Hindu, with approximately 80% of the population practicing Hinduism. Islam accounts for roughly 14%, making India home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism (1.7%), Buddhism (0.7%), and Jainism (0.4%) are also represented. India’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and religious diversity is a defining characteristic of the nation.
The Indian Breakfast Meeting
By Meenakshi Chandra, H.R., Ernst & Young Pvt. Ltd., Calcutta
What is a morning business meeting like in India? A morning business meeting in India is not very different from regular meetings held during the day. There are no hard and fast rules, but there are etiquettes to be followed. Participants are expected to be formally dressed unless told otherwise when the agenda is set. They should arrive on time at the designated venue, and once assembled, each participant gets acquainted with the others present.
Once the initial formalities are over, all participants proceed toward breakfast. As the style of serving is buffet, everyone mingles and preliminary discussions on the agenda usually begin. This time is spent getting acquainted and comfortable with all present. Once breakfast is over, the real sit-down discussions can start.
What food is served? The breakfast menu can include a variety of items: sandwiches (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, ranging from club, cheese, vegetable, and chicken sandwiches); idli (small cakes made of rice and dal, served with coconut chutney and sambhar — a gravy of seasonal vegetables cooked in spices), a popular South Indian delicacy; scrambled eggs; freshly cut fruits in syrup; seasonal fresh fruit juice; and tea or coffee.
Important dietary considerations: If the nationalities and eating preferences of the guests are known, the menu will be adapted accordingly. For the Hindu community, eating beef is forbidden — Hindus consider the cow a sacred animal. To serve beef to a Hindu is taken as an offense. Similarly, ham and pork are forbidden to serve to Muslim guests, as it offends their religious sentiments. These dietary sensitivities are taken very seriously in Indian business culture.
How is the food served? Always in buffet style. This enables intermingling of all guests present.
Is 9:00 a.m. an acceptable start time? It is definitely accepted to begin the meeting at 9:00 a.m. sharp. At times, meetings start even earlier.
Is punctuality important? It is very important.
What is the preferred seating arrangement? If the participants number 20 or fewer, seating is organized in boardroom style. If the number exceeds 20, seating is arranged in a U-shaped table, a hollow rectangular table, or theatre style.
How long do meetings last? Meetings can go on for the entire day — from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. — breaking for tea/coffee (twice) and lunch. It depends on the requirement.
Is technology accepted? Yes — teleconferences and videoconferences are the most economic and accepted modes of conferencing.
Appearance
body language
& gestures
- Men are generally expected to wear a suit and tie for business, although the jacket may be removed in the summer. Women should wear conservative dresses or pantsuits.
- When dressing casual, short-sleeved shirts and long pants are preferred for men; shorts are acceptable only when exercising. Women must keep their upper arms, chest, back, and legs covered at all times.
- Women should wear long pants when exercising.
- The use of leather products including belts or handbags may be considered offensive, especially in temples. Hindus revere cows and do not use leather products.
Behavior
meetings &
general conduct
- The head is considered the seat of the soul. Never touch someone else’s head, not even to pat the hair of a child.
- Beckoning someone with the palm up and wagging one finger can be construed as an insult. Standing with your hands on your hips will be interpreted as an angry, aggressive posture.
- Whistling is impolite and winking may be interpreted as either an insult or a sexual proposition.
- Never point your feet at a person. Feet are considered unclean. If your shoes or feet touch another person, apologize.
- Gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver. If you receive a wrapped gift, set it aside until the giver leaves.
- Business lunches are preferred to dinners. Hindus do not eat beef and Muslims do not eat pork.
Communication
introductions &
conversation
- There are more than fourteen major and three hundred minor languages spoken in India. The official languages are English and Hindi. English is widely used in business, politics and education.
- The word “no” has harsh implications in India. Evasive refusals are more common, and are considered more polite. Never directly refuse an invitation — a vague “I’ll try” is an acceptable refusal.
- Do not thank your hosts at the end of a meal. “Thank you” is considered a form of payment and therefore insulting.
- Titles are very important. Always use professional titles.
Resources
Government & Data
- India.gov.inOfficial government portal
- CIA World Factbook — IndiaDemographics, economy, government
- U.S. Commercial Service — IndiaTrade and market guidance
News & Culture
- The HinduNational English-language daily
- The Times of IndiaLargest English-language newspaper
- Incredible IndiaOfficial tourism portal
Cultural Framework
- Cyborlink Hofstede ExplainerThe six-dimension model explained
- Hofstede Insights — Country ComparisonCompare India scores with any nation
- Cyborlink Resource PageBooks, world press, language tools