India is located in between latitude 8 degrees 4’ and 37 degrees 6’ north; and longitude 68 degrees 7’ and 97 degrees 25’ East and has an area of 3.3 million square kilometres. Its length from the Himalayas in the north to tropical Kerala in the south is 3200 kilometres.

It is the second most populous country in the world, with over a billion people. India is composed of 28 states which have their own elected government, and 7 Union Territories which are governed by an administrator appointed by the Central Government. The English language and Hindi are the main languages used by the Central and State Governments, the Courts and for business transactions. However there are 21 other officially recognised languages and 844 dialects spoken in India. Some State Governments and local authorities also use the local language for official purposes but they normally use English in their communication with the Central Government as well as for business purposes. There is a very large section of the urban population well conversant in English.

India is a secular democracy, with a Parliamentary system based on universal adult franchise. The Parliament is composed of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of the People). The President is the head of state, followed by the Vice President who are both elected through an electoral college, but their role is ceremonial. The Prime Minister has the executive power and is assisted by the Council of Ministers which is appointed by him or her but is sworn in by the President. There is an independent judiciary and the Courts follow the common law system. The legal system is similar to that in the United Kingdom. The court procedure is however, somewhat time consuming and subject to one or more appellate stages which results in delay in disposal of cases. Arbitration and other forms of alternate dispute resolution are advisable except where injunctions and other forms of interim relief have to be resorted to.

India is culturally diverse, and a country of contrasts. The majority of the people are Hindus, and there are a significant number of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains.

At the time of independence in 1947, India had inherited from the British a pattern of market economy with a fully developed legal system. Since independence however, it had undergone some changes and had adopted a socialistic pattern of economy with a system of controls, although the legal system developed during the colonial period basically remained in operation. Since the 1990s the trend was reversed and the systems of controls are being gradually removed and the laws are being adapted or amended to suit the needs of a free world economy. Today, the free market trend has become acceptable to all the political parties and the process is now considered irreversible. India is one of the emerging markets in the world today with its highly skilled manpower, especially in the field of IT and technology. Furthermore, it is a good place to do business and expand with the liberalised economy, and a sizeable middle class which exceeds the population of USA or the EU. The urban middle class with upward mobility is fast developing a taste for consumer goods with well known international brand names and a way of life on the Western pattern with private boarding schools; recreational facilities; bars and restaurants; health and beauty products and centres; and holiday resorts.

The national currency is the Indian rupee which is partially convertible.

India is a land with great scenic beauty with its mountains, like the Himalayas in the North, the Vindhiyas in the centre and the Western and Eastern Ghats in the South. It also has spectacular waterfalls, lakes, beaches, legendary caves and forests. There are buildings and architecture from different countries and ethic or religious groups, such as the Moguls, the colonial British, Portuguese and French, and the Hindu dynasties. There are caves with sculptures that date back several thousand years. The most famous of these include the Taj Mahal, the palaces at Jaipur and Udhaipur , the Ajanta and Ellora caves and Khajuraho. So far most of the tourism has been geared to foreign tourists who visit the places of historical importance, or the beaches and stay in 5 star hotels. Today, there are a significant number of local tourists who are seeking more in terms of budget hotels, drive in motels, guesthouses and holiday resorts. There are also young backpackers from Europe, some of whom are students and need cheaper and safer accommodation and facilities like youth hostels. There is much untapped potential in this area which international franchises can take advantage of.