Cyborlink · International Business Etiquette
Asia · Country Profile

Doing business in India

A working reference on Indian business etiquette, culture, and cross-cultural communication — updated for the contemporary workplace.

India Capital: New Delhi
Language: Hindi, English
Currency: Rupee (₹)
§ 01 — Orientation

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.

Fun Fact

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.

§ 02 — Cultural Analysis

Hofstede Analysis

India — Six-Dimension Scores
Power Distance
77
Individualism
48
Masculinity
56
Uncertainty Avoidance
40
Long-Term Orientation
51
Indulgence
26
Source: Hofstede Insights. Scores on a 0–100 scale.

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.

Read the full Hofstede framework →

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.

§ 03 — Dress & Presence

Appearance

Dress, clothing,
body language
& gestures
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Women should wear long pants when exercising.
  4. 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.
§ 04 — Conduct

Behavior

Dining, gifts,
meetings &
general conduct
  1. The head is considered the seat of the soul. Never touch someone else’s head, not even to pat the hair of a child.
  2. 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.
  3. Whistling is impolite and winking may be interpreted as either an insult or a sexual proposition.
  4. Never point your feet at a person. Feet are considered unclean. If your shoes or feet touch another person, apologize.
  5. Gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver. If you receive a wrapped gift, set it aside until the giver leaves.
  6. Business lunches are preferred to dinners. Hindus do not eat beef and Muslims do not eat pork.
§ 05 — Communication

Communication

Greetings,
introductions &
conversation
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Do not thank your hosts at the end of a meal. “Thank you” is considered a form of payment and therefore insulting.
  4. Titles are very important. Always use professional titles.
§ 06 — Further Reading

Resources

Government & Data

News & Culture

Cultural Framework