Skip navigation

image

 

New India

Old India, New India

This section explores how and why India is changing. 

Key questions:

  • How do India and other countries depend on each other?
  • Why is India important in the world?

Key Concepts:
Interdependence
Human processes
Space
Cultural understanding and diversity

 

 

How do India and other countries depend on each other?

  • In the year 2004-05 other countries invested in India to the tune of $5.3 billion. India’s attractiveness for foreign investment is growing.
  • India is an increasingly popular tourist destination.. Tourist arrivals to India have gone from 2.12 million in 1995 to 3.92 million in 2005.
  • More Indian nationals are going abroad abroad.  In 1991 1.94 million Indians went abroad. In 2005 this figure was 7.18 million.
  • India’s main agricultural products are rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugar cane, potatoes, cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry, fish. In Assam state in the north-east there are 800 different tea plantations.
  • India’s main exports are textiles, ready-made garments, agricultural products (including rice, cotton and tea), steel, gems and jewellery, leather products and chemicals. In 2005 India’s exports amounted to $80 billion.
  • Destinations of exports: USA and Canada 22%, Europe 24.5%, Asia 34.9%, Africa 4.8%, Japan 3.2%, Latin America 3%, Central and Eastern Europe 1.7%, Other 5.9%.
  • India’s main imports are aircraft and parts, machinery, fertiliser, computer hardware, oil. India imports 70% of its oil needs. In 2005 Indian imports amounted to $105 billion.
  • India is the world’s largest producer of legal opium for the pharmaceutical trade.

Why is India important in the world?

There are various reasons for India’s economic success: Economic reform took place in 1991 which opened up the economy. India has an abundant and well-educated work force who speak English. Wages are low compared to the West encouraging international software companies to outsource IT work to India. Specialized economic zones (SEZs) further encourage companies to set up in India. The Indian government offers tax breaks to software firms.

 

Click on an activity:
Starter
Main activity
Plenary

Interactive:

Interdependent India

Download:
Success ranking

Interdependent India

India Table

Back to top