WELCOME TO INDIA!
The U.S. Department of Commerce in India, located at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and six other locations in India heartily welcomes you and the company you represent to this very exciting, challenging and demanding market of over a billion people. We hope that this trip will prove to be fruitful for you and your company.
We sincerely hope that the program that we have prepared for you will meet your expectations, foster better dialog/discussions with Indian companies with whom you would be meeting, and lead to win-win partnerships.
Your individual meeting schedule, emergency numbers, and brief profiles of the Indian companies you are slated to meet will be provided to you separately. Included here are brief information on the Indian cities that you would be visiting that you may find useful. Please check our webpage: http://export.gov/india/doingbusinessinindia/index.asp for additional information about our services and doing business in India.
We hope that you enjoy your visit to India. We stand ready to assist and support your visit to this market and look forward to working with you now – and in the future.
We look forward to celebrating your success here!
The Staff of U.S. Commercial Service India
BUSINESS TRAVEL INFORMATION
- U.S. Commercial Service Contacts in India
- U.S. Ambassador to India
- Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs
- Security/Travel Advisory
- Visa Requirements
- Consular Access and Consular Locations
- Business Customs
- Language
- Health
- Currency
- Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
- City Information
- Telephone Dialing Instructions
U.S. Commercial Service Contacts in India
UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO INDIA
Nancy J. Powell
United States Ambassador to India
Ambassador Nancy J. Powell
Ambassador Nancy J. Powell arrived April 19, 2012 following her March 29 confirmation by the United States Senate as the first female United States Ambassador to India. Ambassador Powell holds the highest rank in the United States Foreign Service, with the title of Career Ambassador.
Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 7, Ambassador Powell said India will be “a leading security partner of the United States in the 21st century,” adding “our relations are firmly grounded in a set of shared democratic values and an increasingly shared strategic vision of both the opportunities that can promote those values as well as the threats that can undermine them.”
Prior to President Barack Obama’s nominating her as Ambassador to India, Ambassador Powell was Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources. She was the United States Ambassador to Nepal from August 2007 to August 2009. From 2006-2007, she served as the National Intelligence Officer for South Asia at the National Intelligence Council, as the State Department’s Senior Coordinator for Avian Influenza, and as Acting Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Activities.
Ambassador Powell has also served as Ambassador to Pakistan, Ghana, and Uganda. Other prior assignments also include serving as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangladesh and Togo, Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Consul General in Calcutta, and Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at U.S. Embassy New Delhi. Ambassador Powell is the recipient of the Homeland Security Service to America Medal for 2006 for Avian Influenza preparations, and the U.S. State Department Arnold L. Raphel Award for 2003. Ambassador Powell graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1970.
Judy Reinke
Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs
Judy Reinke assumed the position of Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs in August 2010.
In this capacity, she is the senior representative of the U.S. Department of Commerce responsible for the operations of the U.S. Commercial Service in India, supervising the strategic program of seven offices dedicated to helping U.S. businesses enter the Indian market. She also oversees the Indian based operations of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the Bureau of Industry and Security, the Market Access and Compliance Division of the International Trade Administration.
Prior to this position, Judy served as the Regional Director for Western Europe overseeing the operations of the U.S. Commercial Service (CS) at U.S. Embassies and Consulates in 14 countries in Europe, as well as the CS liaison office at the European Union. Previously, Ms. Reinke had served as the Senior Commercial Officer in Manila, Philippines (2005 to 2008) and in Bangkok, Thailand (2002-2005). She also served as Deputy Senior Commercial Officer in Jakarta, Indonesia from 1999-2002, responsible for overseeing the operations of the U.S. Commercial Center; Commercial Attaché in Bonn, Germany (1993-1998); and Commercial Officer with responsibility for export control matters in Bern, Switzerland (1990-1992). Ms. Reinke began her career at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Bureau of Export Administration (1986-1990) and in the Import Administration (1983-1986).
Ms. Reinke holds a Masters in Public Administration from the Woodrow Wilson School of Princeton University and a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College. Judy is a permanent resident of Fairfax, VA, and was raised in Provo, Utah, having moved frequently as the daughter of a U. S. Army Officer. She is married to Mr. Edwin Reinke and has a daughter, Katherine.
SECURITY/TRAVEL ADVISORY
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should monitor the Department’s website at: http://travel.state.gov/ where the current worldwide Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. All visitors to India can help ensure their safety by familiarizing themselves with the information provided below and by exercising appropriate caution whenever they travel. To obtain updated information, visitors may wish to check the U.S. Embassy’s website at: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/ or contact the nearest U.S. Consulate General.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. Passport should be reported immediately to local pólice or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local pólice, you are requested to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
U.S. citizens require a passport and visa to enter India for any purpose. Visitors, including those on official U.S. government business, must obtain visas at an Indian Embassy or Consulate abroad prior to entering the country. There are no provisions for visas upon arrival. Those arriving in India without a visa bearing the correct validity dates and numbers of entries are subject to immediate deportation on the return flight. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in India are unable to assist when U.S. citizens arrive without visas. For further information on entry requirements, inquiries should be made at the nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
CONSULAR ACCESS AND CONSULAR LOCATIONS
U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available if they are questioned by local authorities. In accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, Indian authorities must allow U.S. citizens to contact a U.S. Consular officer if arrested or detained in India. Besides the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, U.S. Consulates are located in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
In a diverse and complex country like India, it’s difficult to impart generic conclusions that could be used by those wanting to do business here. Regionalism, religion, language and caste are all factors that need to be taken into account when doing business in India. Behavior, etiquette and approach are all modified depending on whom you are addressing and the context in which they are being addressed.
Unlike western societies, in India religion, fatalism and collectivism are all components of daily life and they need to be respected for a healthy and successful business relationship. Despite the traditional caste system being dismantled, remnants may still be witnessed in the Indian hierarchical structure of business practices and decision-making. There is a strong sense of tradition tied into daily business practices. Yet, signs of change are becoming more evident. Ever since the economic reforms began in 1991, India’s market is growing rapidly. With its geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean, a major international trade route, and with its rich mineral and agricultural resources, India’s economy is witnessing increased inflows of foreign investments. India is also recognized for its competitive education system and vast pool of highly skilled laborers, making it an attractive market for foreign businesses.
No matter what the industry is, foreign businesses should expect some degree of differences in business norms in India. Below are some basic business etiquettes that the U.S. companies should follow when developing and maintaining relationship with Indian businesses.
Business Etiquettes:
- Do use titles to address Indian counterparts, such as “Professor” or “Doctor”. If he/she does not have a title, use “Mr.”, “Mrs.”, or “Miss.”
- Do wait for a female business colleague to initiate a greeting whether it is verbal or physical. Indian men do not generally shake hands with women out of respect.
- Do remain polite and honest at all times in order to prove that your objectives are sincere.
- Don't be aggressive in your business negotiations – it can be interpreted as a sign of disrespect.
- Don't take large or expensive gifts as this may cause embarrassment. If you do take a gift make sure you present the gift with both hands.
- Don't refuse any food or drink offered to you during business meetings as this may cause offence (sample small portions at least). In addition, it is useful to keep in mind that traditionally, and religiously, majority of Indians are vegetarians and do not drink alcohol or smoke.
LANGUAGE
For a traveler, it is no problem to get around India. Most Indians speak English and are eager to help.
If you need to consult a doctor, contact your hotel management or make use of the Embassy/Consulate list of medical practioners. Adequate to excellent medical care is available in the major cities in India, but is usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas.
The currency used in India is the Rupee (Rs.) and paise (1 Rupee=100 paise). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reference rate for $1= Rs. 53 as on October 1, 2012.
LOCAL TIME, BUSINESS HOURS AND HOLIDAYS
India follows the Indian Standard Time (IST) which is GMT+5 and half hours. India follows a single time zone throughout the country. Business hours are usually from 0930 hours to 1730 hours with a hours lunch break from 1300 to 1400 hours. The work week is Monday to Friday but some offices work half a day on Saturdays. Central Government offices are closed on Saturdays.
Helpful Link: http://www.worldtimezone.com/
Ahmedabad
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
Kolkata
Mumbai
New Delhi
TELEPHONE DIALING INSTRUCTIONS
FROM LAND LINE TO LAND LINE:
To USA dial: 00 + 1 + area code + phone number
From USA to India dial: 91+city code+phone number
From India to other countries dial: 00 + country code + area code + telephone number
FROM LAND LINE TO CELL PHONES:
To USA dial: 00 + 1 + cell phone number
From USA dial: 91 + cell phone number
FROM CELL PHONE TO LAND LINE:
To USA dial: 00 +1 +area code + phone number
In India dial: city code + phone number
FROM CELL PHONE TO CELL PHONE:
To USA dial: 00 + 1 + cell phone number
Within the city in India: dial cell phone number
To a different city dial: +91 + cell number
AREA CODES
New Delhi – 011
Mumbai – 022
Ahmedabad – 079
Bangalore – 080
Chennai - 044
Hyderabad – 040
Kolkata – 033
