Curated by Vinod Kumar Jain & Amit Jain · All Frontier Global · free, no login · reviewed 2026-07-05
Spiritual awakening amid vibrant chaos
In 2026 India sits at the centre of a trade realignment it spent a decade negotiating: within a single stretch it concluded the EU FTA in New Delhi in January, signed an interim deal with the United States that cut the reciprocal tariff to 18% in February, and saw its CETA with the UK scheduled to take effect on 15 July. For businesses and returning NRIs, the practical story is a widening web of duty-free access and easier professional mobility — from social-security exemptions in Britain to zero-tariff entry into Australia — that makes 2026 the most consequential year for Indian trade policy in a generation.
Marigolds spill over Varanasi ghats at dawn, chai steam mingles with temple incense, and every train platform stages its own festival.
Trade agreements (15): Incl. UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, ASEAN and EFTA (TEPA, in force); the India–UK CETA enters into force 15 Jul 2026 and the India–EU FTA was concluded 27 Jan 2026 (now ratifying).
Passport strength: visa-free/VOA to ~62 destinations. Improving, but still visa-heavy for many destinations.
India × India hub ↗ All countries factsheet
Typically 30–90 days by eVisa type; varies by nationality
e-Visa: yes · Visa on arrival: Limited — mostly eVisa
Trains for long distances, auto-rickshaws and Uber/Ola in cities, domestic flights.
Car vs taxi: Hire a car with driver rather than self-drive; Uber/Ola are reliable in most cities.
Money: UPI digital payments are everywhere; cards in cities; carry cash for markets.
SIM & data: Local SIMs (Airtel, Jio) need a passport and take time to activate; eSIM growing.
Tipping: 10% in restaurants; small tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff appreciated.
Etiquette: Remove shoes at temples/homes, use the right hand, and dress modestly at sites.
Food: Try butter chicken, dosa and biryani; drink only bottled or filtered water.
Say hello: Hindi (+ many regional) — “Namaste (नमस्ते)” · thanks “Dhanyavaad (धन्यवाद)” · how much? “Yeh kitne ka hai? (कितने का?)”
Mind traffic and petty crime; women travellers should take extra precautions at night.
For nomads: Cheap and characterful; Goa, Bengaluru and Rishikesh draw nomads. Coworking is booming; power cuts and traffic are the trade-off.
Education: Very affordable public options; int'l schools in metros cost more.
Healthcare: World-class private hospitals at low cost; a medical-tourism hub.
India is the reference market of this library — a diversified US$3.5-trillion-plus economy strong in IT and business services, generic pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, textiles and agriculture, and the anchor of every corridor covered here.
Trade framework: Incl.
India angle: the home market: exporters and importers use these profiles to price corridors into and out of India.
Outlook: a services-and-manufacturing growth story courting FTAs with the UK, EU and Gulf.
Qualitative profile for orientation — confirm current figures and agreement status before acting.
India uses the Indian rupee (INR). Capital: New Delhi.
Incl. UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, ASEAN and EFTA (TEPA, in force); the India–UK CETA enters into force 15 Jul 2026 and the India–EU FTA was concluded 27 Jan 2026 (now ratifying).
Mind traffic and petty crime; women travellers should take extra precautions at night.