According to the authors, the primary difference between Indian and Western business styles lies in the degree to which corporate goals and strategies reflect company core values.

The book claims that as a general rule, Indian corporations are far less concerned with shareholder interests than Western businesses and that they prefer concentrate on the long term prosperity of the company, employees and surrounding community.

The book goes on to say that because Indian executives motivate their employees with larger company and social goals, they are afforded significantly higher levels of trust and respect from their workforce and communities than their Western counterparts.

Intense domestic competition and highly cost-conscious consumers imply that Indian companies have become skilled at developing new product and service concepts (e.g. Tata Nano motor car).

Unlike the state capitalism of China, the India Way, say the authors, "preserves the logic of free markets and democratic institutions", yet "appears to avoid some of the apparent rapaciousness and excesses of the American model."