It is an age-old dilemma for British professionals heading into unchartered territory. Do I greet my host with a shake of the hand, a bow or with hands clasped? Will my female host be offended if I give her a kiss on the cheek, or will she run screaming from the room?

Now in an attempt to get Brits to improve their behaviour when they go to India, a Government-backed group has set up new 'Indian etiquette classes'.

The UK-India Business Council - which was set up by the Government to support investment and trade between the countries - says its classes are vital because India is now attracting a record number of visiting UK business leaders, with its economy expanding so quickly that it has been tipped to overtake the UK as the world's fifth largest within a decade.

At the same time, British-Indian relations are still governed by "stereotypes and generalisations", with Brits abroad still tending to be rude to, or culturally ignorant about, their hosts without meaning to.

According to the council, the key thing to remember for British businesspeople in India is to greet their hosts by saying 'Namaste' with a slight bow and palms together, while conservative and formal dress is to be encouraged at all times.

Key mistakes often made include shaking hands with a woman before it is offered, and kissing them hello and goodbye, which is unacceptable in a society where male-female relations remain conservative.

Some other mistakes include opening gifts when Indian hosts are still in the room, which is considered a sign of rudeness, as is standing with hands on hips.

Visitors are also warned not to judge Indians for their somewhat vague timekeeping, with guidelines saying: "Indians are not always punctual, so be patient and flexible."

Perhaps most importantly of all, British visitors are also warned not to patronise, or be pompous, to their Indian hosts. "Do not talk down, or patronisingly, to Indian colleagues and business partners," the council says.

Announcing the first etiquette session, Sharon Bamford, CEO of the Whitehall-based council, said: "Helping business succeed in India is our priority, and integral to doing business in India is an understanding of its religions, politics and etiquette. We are launching the Insight India series to address these issues."

Interest in India has boomed within the British business sector over the last decade, as the economy has grown at an average of 7.5 per cent per year from 2002 to 2006.

As well as overtaking Britain within 10 years, analysts say India could also leapfrog the US and become second only to China in its economic strength by the middle of the century if its current growth continues.

Figures supplied by the British Council show that Indian companies are also recruiting a larger number of British staff than ever before, with 32,000 Britons now residing permanently in India.

The UK-India Council's first etiquette session will take place on July 28 at the council's Millbank Tower headquarters, and those interested should visit www.ukibc.com

Indian growth

— From 1980 to 2002 India’s economy grew at 6 per cent a year, and then at 7.5 per cent from 2002 to 2006. Despite being one of the world's best-performing economies, it has lagged behind China, which averaged 9.2 per cent growth between 2002 and 2006

— In the past two decades, India's middle class has quadrupled to roughly 60 million people; 1 per cent of the country's poor have risen out of poverty every year

— Over the same period, China lifted 300 million people out of poverty and increased its workforce by 120 million

— India has more than 100,000 dollar millionaires, and is creating new ones at a rate rivalled only be Russia. China has 350,000 millionaires

— If current trends continue, India could overtake Britain as the world's fifth largest economy within a decade. It could then overtake the US, and be second to China by the middle of this century

Sources: IMF, United Nations; Times archives, CIA

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