India is the largest democracy in the world, the seventh largest country by area, and with over one billion people, it has the second largest population. Tourism is seen as one of the major drivers of economic growth and employment generation. Tourism India plans to raise the number of visitors to 5 million with the focus on attracting upmarket travellers.

Leading up to 2006, property prices rose by 30-35% with the Indian property boom having started in mid-2004. The big cities are the highest in real estate pricing with property in Mumbai showing the fastest growth followed by property in Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. The small state of Goa is considered the Gold Coast of India and property prices in Goa have been rising sharply as well. With most buyers being priced out of the main metros, overseas property investors are now starting to focus on cities like Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Pune.