In a country as incredibly diverse as India, it makes sense that themes such as growth and opportunity are tempered by the realities of doing business in a market that is, in many ways, not ready for the volume it is experiencing.

What are the implications of coming into the global spotlight so rapidly? We hear a lot about the lack of infrastructure – roads, ports, and buildings are all under severe strain to keep up with the level of use. The flow of goods is congested; cargo volume increased by 50% in 2007 alone. This is one example of the disparity between the potential and the actual; there are others.

There is much talk of the arriving middle class of India. However, it seems that it has not fully arrived yet. The very nature of the caste system creates a tangible divide between the haves and the have-nots, not to mention the clear economic divide; examples of extreme entrepreneurial success and extreme poverty are common, in this former British colony that has now established itself as the fastest growing economy in the world.

Internal chaos and social division mixes with a unified mentality when it comes to economic progress – India’s unique positioning as leader in the services industry supplements the domination of more tangible goods such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, etc. Government policies can take much of the credit for India’s growth in recent years; the deliberalization of the early 1990s seems perfectly timed, with the rise of IT and services outsourcing.

As U.S. companies strive to be more competitive globally, coming to understand the diverse Indian marketplace presents challenges and commitment of resources. It will be equally as essential for India’s strengthening internal economy to embrace and understand their foreign partners. Indians have historically interacted mainly within their local communities. Nonetheless, the common aspirations and goals of the Indian people will continue to manifest as a megaphone to the rest of the world.