A business traveller’s guide to Delhi

As India’s capital, Delhi is like the entire country in a microcosm – where international business travellers can experience many of the nation’s varied cultures in one place. With nearly 30 million people in its urban area, this megacity is a magnet for trade both within India and with the rest of the world. There’s no shortage of multinational companies located here, and in recent years, it has become a hub for tech startups. Here’s what to do when you’re there.

Where to start

The capital is split into two main areas: Old Delhi, its most historic part, and New Delhi, its administrative centre. It’s in this centre you’ll find Connaught Place, or Rajiv Chowk, the city’s business hub; India Gate, a triumphal arch commemorating the First World War; and most government buildings, including Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. To the south-west, Chanakyapuri is the city’s diplomatic enclave and an upmarket area inhabited by embassies, mansions, luxury hotels and shops, and the National Rail Museum. To get around, opt for Uber or the Indian ride-hailing app Ola, or jump on Delhi’s extensive metro system.

Where to take clients

The Embassy Restaurant is one of the city’s oldest dining venues and a favourite among dignitaries. In a high-ceilinged, marble-floored dining room, you’ll be served hearty, well-executed favourites, like dal meat (a stew of lamb and lentils), samosas, fish tikka and butter chicken. On the city’s southwestern fringes, smart neighbourhood Vasant Kunj offers an impressive array of high-quality restaurants in and around the Ambience Mall. You can’t go wrong with Kylin Skybar, the shopping centre’s rooftop terrace where modern pan-Asian food – think bao, satay, Korean fried chicken and ramen – and superb cocktails are served in a beautiful setting, often with a live musical performance. If you or your clients are younger, the trendy Hauz Khas Village in South Delhi combines lively nightlife with street food, bars and nightclubs, and independent boutiques and galleries in an arty pedestrian area.

Where to stay

For unabashed luxury, check into the Taj Palace in Chanakyapuri, about 10 minutes’ drive from the business district. Bedecked with rich carpets and gold accents, this palatial, boomerang-shaped property speaks to the glitziest form of Indian glamour. Its restaurant Loya weaves a rich tapestry of North Indian flavours with a modern spin, while Orient Express specialises in fine European cuisine and wines. The Grand New Delhi , just 15 minutes’ drive from Indira Gandhi International Airport, caters well to business travellers, with modern amenities set within oasis-like greenery. Lastly, on Connaught Place’s doorstep, The Imperial New Delhi is the city’s grande dame, offering elegant quarters within an immaculate heritage interior that recalls a 19th-century Indian palace. It even has its own museum and art gallery. 

What to say

Delhi has a wealth of ancient monuments and historic sites, and enquiring about their history will show you’re engaged in the city. Or ask about the Delhi Metro, which revolutionised life in the city when it launched in stages from 2002. Avoid politics or religion: when in doubt, start a conversation about food or family for the surest ways to Delhiites’ hearts. 

What to know

English is the language of business in India. Indian clients or colleagues are highly hospitable and place a lot of importance on the development of a solid relationship. Always remember that hierarchy plays a big role in making decisions, and that formalities and etiquette matter extensively. It’s respectful to greet the most senior person first when meeting a group – handshakes are standard in a business context, but the initial greeting might take the form of the traditional Hindu namaste – placing both hands together with a small bow. Dress conservatively and remove your shoes when entering a home or place of worship.

Downtime done right

Got a day off? Intrigue abounds at Mehrauli Archaeological Park , where more than 200 historical monuments are spread over 80 hectares. Nearby, you’ll find the 73-metre-tall Qutub Minar, Delhi’s famous minaret and Unesco World Heritage Site located in what was once the fortified city of Lal Kot. Book onto a half-day walking tour to take it all in with an expert as your guide.

Dilli Haat in South Delhi is ideal if you’re looking for handcrafted items from around India. While shopping, you can also savour the nation’s diverse cuisines, such as momos from Sikkim, bamboo shoot chicken from Nagaland, kahwa (a spiced tea) from Jammu, puran poli (a sweet flatbread) from Maharashtra or the Gujarati dhokla (a savoury, spongy snack). It’s an unforgettable window into India’s rich cultural identity.

Take something home

Chandni Chowk , located in Old Delhi, is a huge market and one-stop shopping nexus for both food and fashion. It’s also home to the largest wholesale spice market in Asia, which has become something of a place of pilgrimage for keen cooks. For a traditional present or memento unique to the city, pick up a Madhubani painting depicting Hindu deities and nature from Madhubani Art Centre in Hauz Khas. Or pay a visit to one of the three KCS Kashmir Shawl Emporium outlets to buy beautiful, high-quality Kashmiri shawls, jackets and many other items.