Be as punctual as possible for your appointments! This is usually expected of guests visiting from other countries and people in India try to adapt to this.
Present business cards with your right hand! The left hand is considered unclean.
Respect the hierarchical thinking in India! As a rule, management makes decisions and employees expect and follow clear instructions.
Allow sufficient time for decision-making processes and, if necessary, several rounds of negotiations!
Dress appropriately! Men should preferably wear white shirts and trousers (never jeans), suits and ties for official appointments; women should dress as conservatively as possible (suits or trouser suits).
DON´TS
Avoid criticising your counterpart directly!
Avoid business appointments on one of the many holidays (Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja, Ganapati, etc.)!
Do not raise taboo topics (e.g. Kashmir, corruption, salacious topics)!
Do not ask about the caste affiliation of your opposite! The caste system was officially abolished in 1949.
Don't take it personally if your business partner in India is occasionally not on time! There can be many reasons for this, e.g. the infrastructure, other extended meetings, the weather.
