How to Call India From the US & The Country Codes

Making a business call in the US is probably something you can do in your sleep, but it may be a different story when it comes to international calls. If you have contacts in India, you’ll need to learn how to call India from the US.

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know when calling India from the US, including the calling code for India, how to call a landline vs a mobile, the time difference, and area codes in India. Plus, we’ll tell you how you can save tons of money on calls to India and give you some business meeting etiquette tips. We’re based in Atlanta and serve the entire US including Miami, Memphis, and Charlotte!

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Calling India From the US

Before you learn how to call India from the US, you’ll need to gather a few important pieces of information. When calling any international location, you first need to know the country’s exit code. The US exit code is 011. This tells the phone carrier that you’re placing a call outside of the country. You also need to have the India phone country code, area code, and local number, as well as understand the time difference between where you are in the US and India.

India Phone Country Code

When calling a foreign country, you need to know the phone country code. This tells your carrier which country to send the call to. The calling code for India is 91. After you dial the US exit code (011) you can dial the India phone country code (91) before dialing the rest of the phone number.

Time Difference between India and USA

When learning how to call India from the US, you’ll need to be aware of the time difference between India and USA. India operates on Indian Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+5:30 (five and a half hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC). India does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so the time difference between the US and India will depend on the time of year and where in the country you’re operating from. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Eastern Time (ET): During Standard Time (November through March), IST is 10 hours and 30 minutes ahead of ET. During Daylight Saving Time (March through November), IST is 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of ET.
Central Time (CT): IST is 11 hours and 30 minutes ahead of CT during standard time, and 10 hours and 30 minutes ahead during DST.
Mountain Time (MT): IST is 12 hours and 30 minutes ahead of MT during standard time and 11 hours and 30 minutes ahead of MT during DST.
Pacific Time (PT): IST is 13 hours and 30 minutes ahead of PT during standard time and 12 hours and 30 minutes ahead of PT during DST.

For example, if it’s 12:00 PM in New York during DST, it will be 9:30 PM in India.

Area Codes of India

When calling India from the US, you’ll need to know the area code of the city you are calling. Area codes range from 2 to 4 digits long. Here are some of the main area codes you’ll need to know before you learn how to call India from the US:

City	Area Code	City	Area Code
Delhi	11	Chennai	44
Mumbai	22	Pune	20
Kolkata	33	Amritsar	183
Ahmedabad	79	Bangalore	80
Hyderabad	40	Surat	261
Jaipur	141	Nagpur	712

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How to Call India from the US

Now that we’ve explained all the information you’ll need, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to call India from the US:

Dial the exit number. The exit code for the US is 011.
Dial the India phone country code, 91.
Dial the area code. Exclude any leading “0” from the area code when dialing from the US. For example, if a local Indian number starts with 022, drop the 0 and only dial 22.
Dial the phone number. Landline numbers are usually between 6 to 9 digits, while mobile phone numbers are 10 digits without any additional prefixes.

How to Call a Landline in India

When learning how to call India from the US, it’s important to know the difference between calling a landline and a call phone. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to call a landline in India:

Dial 011, the US exit code.
Dial 91, the calling code for India.
Dial the area code, which could be between 2 to 4 digits long.
Dial the phone number.

If you’re calling a landline in Mumbai, for example, the number you dial would look like this: 011 91 22 XXXX XXXX.

How to Call a Cell Phone in India

Since mobile phones don’t have area codes, you don’t have to worry about whether the person you are calling is located in Delhi or Mumbai. Instead, you’ll simply need to dial the phone number after the country code.

Here’s how to call a cell phone in India:

Dial 011, the US exit code.
Dial 91, the India phone country code.
Dial the 10 digit number.

The number would look like this: 011 91 XX XXXX XXXX.

International Calling with VoIP

Now that we’ve explained how to call India from the US, let’s talk about how you can benefit from using VoIP service to call India. Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is a modern way to make phone calls and save money. VoIP service uses your internet connection rather than a traditional phone line to make and receive phone calls.

The benefits of using VoIP for your calls to India and other international locations include:

Cost savings: You can save a significant amount of money when using VoIP service to call India. Traditional international calls come with high per-minute rates, but VoIP eliminates these costs by routing calls over the internet. VoIP providers typically offer low per-minute rates. Some, like Nextiva, even offer international calling plans to save you money.
Flexibility: With VoIP service, you can call from anywhere you have an internet connection on your smartphone, computer, tablet, or VoIP phone. Whether you’re working from home, on the go, or in the office, you can connect with your contacts in India without being tied down.
High-quality audio: One major benefit of VoIP service is the high-quality audio. With HD sound provided by many VoIP carriers, you can make sure you’re heard loud and clear.

Nextiva vs RingCentral VoIP

Business Etiquette for Meetings in India

When meeting with a client in India, it’s important to understand business etiquette. Here are some tips to successfully navigate meetings in India, whether over the phone, virtually, or in person:

Building relationships is a critical aspect of conducting business in India. Meetings often begin with small talk to establish rapport before transitioning to formal discussions. Taking time to engage with small talk demonstrates respect and interest.
Punctuality is important, but it’s also not uncommon for meetings to start a little later than scheduled. Still, you should arrive on time to demonstrate your professionalism and respect.
Hierarchy and respect for seniority play a big role in Indian business culture. Decisions often rest with the highest-ranking individual in meetings, and junior team members may defer to their seniors during discussions.
Use proper titles and surnames unless you’re invited to use first names.
Dress conservatively. Men usually wear formal suits, while women can opt for business suits or traditional attire like saris.
When discussing business deals, maintain a respectful and calm demeanor. Overly aggressive or confrontational behavior is discouraged as it’s seen as disrespectful and unprofessional.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to call India from the US, you’re ready to place your first call. Remember that you can save tons of money on international calls with VoIP service. If you need help finding the right provider, OneStop Communications is here to serve. We’ll help you compare plans and pricing to find the right service to suit your needs.

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