• Fourth largest economy (US$ 3 trillion GDP) in terms of Purchasing Power Parity after USA , China and Japan.
• The fundamentals of the Indian economy have become strong and stable. The macro-economic indicators are at present the best in the history of independent India with high growth, healthy foreign exchange reserves, and foreign investment and robust increase in exports and low inflation and interest rates.
• A unique feature of the transition of the Indian economy is that it has become the second fastest growing economy of the world in the year 2003 - 04. In the financial year 2004 - 05 the GDP growth has averaged 6.9% (estimated). India has recorded one of the highest growth rates in the 1990s. The target of the 10th Five Year Plan (2002-07) is 8% growth rate. India 's services sector grew by 9.4% in 2004-05.
• The unique feature of Indian economy has been high growth with stability. The Indian economy has proved its strength and resilience when there have been crisis in other parts of the world including in Asia in recent years.
• The foreign exchange reserves have reached a record level of US$ 138.84 billion in June, 2005. The comfortable situation of Forex reserves has facilitated further relaxation of foreign exchange restrictions and a gradual move towards greater capital account convertibility. According to IMF (2003 report) India 's Forex Policies are in line with global best practices.
• Foreign Exchange Reserves (US$ 138.84 bn) now far exceed Foreign Debt (US$ 113 bn as on September, 2004).
• Short-term debt is less than 4 per cent of the reserves.
• In March 1991 Forex Reserves including gold stood at $5.8bn as against external debt of $83 billion.
• The external debt to GDP ratio has improved significantly from 38.7% in 1992 to 17.8% in end of March 2004. This is one of the lowest among developing economies. External debt in December 2004 was 120.9 billion US dollars. Of this long-term NRI deposits is $ 27 billion, commercial borrowings $ 24 billion, multilateral debt $ 31 billion, and bilateral debt $ 18 billion.
• After a surplus in Current account for two fiscal years, 2002-03 and 2003-04, the current account showed a deficit of US$ 6.4 bn in 2004-05.
• Given the large foreign exchange reserves, the Government has made premature repayment of US$ 3 billion of 'high-cost' loans to World Bank and Asian Development Bank and is considering further premature repayment of other loans.
• The Government has decided to (i) discontinue receiving aid from other countries except the following nine: Japan, UK, Germany, USA, EU, France, Italy, Canada and the Russian Federation and (ii) to make pre-payment of all bilateral debt owed to all the countries except the ones mentioned above.
• Since July 2003, India has become a net creditor to IMF, after having been a borrower in the past.
• The Government has written off debts of US$ 30 million due from seven heavily indebted countries as part of the "India Development Initiative" announced in February 2003. The interest rate continues to be reduced and is around 6%. This is the lowest in the last thirty years and it is stimulating consumption and investment.
• After reaching an all-time low of Rs.49.06 per US dollar in May, 2002, the rupee has strengthened against the dollar reaching a rate of US$ 1 = Rs.43.51 in June 30, 2005.
• The inflation rate has been contained at 5.5 per cent in 2003-04.The inflation rate in 2004-5 has been slightly higher at 6% but has slowed down at the beginning of the current year 2005 - 06 at 5.5%.

Consumer market

• Large and growing market of 1 billion people of which 300 million are middle class consumers.
• India offers a vibrant market of youth and vigour with 54% of population below the age of 25 years. These young people work harder, earn more, spend more and demand more from the market, making India a dynamic and inspirational society.
• The domestic demand is expected to double over the ten-year period from 1998 to 2007. The number of households with "high income" is expected to increase by 60% in the next four years to 44 million households.
• The number of shopping malls is expected to increase from 25 in 2003 to 600 by 2009.
• Every month, there is an addition of more than 1.5 million cell phone subscribers. The total number is expected to reach 100 million by 2007 from 57.8 million in June 2005.
• PC sales have grown by over 20% in 2004-05 and have reached 3.63 million units.
• Sales of cars in 2004-05 (April-Jan) reached 8.64 Lakh units with exports of additional 1, 60,000 vehicles.
• Vibrant capital market comprising 23 stock exchanges with over 9000 listed companies. Bombay Stock Exchange is the second largest after NYSE. Stock market trading and settlement system are world class.
• According to Credit Lyonnais (CLSA), India is the stock market with the greatest short-term and long-term potential in Asia.
• Market capitalization of stocks traded on the Indian bourses is approximately US$ 430 billion in July 2004. The number of companies with a market capitalization of over US$1 billion is 48. Of these, 24 companies have reached market caps of US$ 2 billion in 2003.
• India is the best performing market among major countries since the current boom started in May 2003.
  
• According to a CLSA study of 2003, a basket of India 's 16 largest capitalization companies gives a 30 per cent average return on equity compared with 17 per cent in China.
• BSE Sensex has reached its peak and has consistently been above the 7000 mark in the last few weeks.
• India has the third largest investor base in the world.
• India has one of the world's lowest transaction costs based on screen-based transactions, paperless trading and a T+2 settlements cycle.