The world is focusing its attention on India, amply illustrated by the 2010 visits by a number of heads of state. The markets are here and no global company can afford to ignore.

As the largest democracy and the fastest growing economy, India has arrived on the centre-stage. The world is focusing its attention on India, amply illustrated by the 2010 visits by a number of heads of state (the US President Barack Obama; UK Prime Minister David Cameron; French President Nicolas Sarkozy; Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao; and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev). All are keen on strengthening and furthering bilateral relations with India.

The economy has been growing at 8.9 per cent for two consecutive quarters in the current financial year that ends in March. If India sustains a 6 per cent growth rate for 50 years, it is expected to equal or overtake China in that time. The markets are here and no global company can afford to ignore.

Since India embarked upon an economic reform process in 1991, the flow of foreign investment has grown by leaps and bounds. India received foreign direct investment worth $175 billion (Rs. 7,87,500 crore) from April 2000 to October 2010, according to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.