What is it like to work with a team in India?

It’s a question we often hear from people who are considering working with an offshore development team for the first time. And it’s a fair question. Because “we have a team in India” sounds to some like a logical solution to a tight labour market, and to others like a recipe for miscommunication and missed deadlines.

So what’s the real story? Let us explain.

It starts with structure

Collaborating with a team in India doesn’t happen automatically. It requires a clear, working method that’s understood by everyone on both sides. At Smartshore, we work with dedicated Scrum teams that always include a Dutch Scrum Master and a Dutch architect. That combination is intentional.

The Scrum Master oversees the process. Daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives are the moments when the team stays on the same page. The architect ensures that technical decisions align with the broader context of your project and organisation. Together, they form the bridge between you, the client, and the developers in India.

We communicate daily with our colleagues in Ludhiana and Panaji. That’s not an exception; it’s simply how we work. Clients who want direct contact with the team can do so as well. That line of communication is always open.

Time zone: less of a problem than you think

India is 3.5 to 4.5 hours ahead of the Netherlands, depending on the time of year. In practice, that means an overlapping work window of a few hours in the morning. We deliberately schedule stand-ups and coordination meetings within that window, so everyone is on board at the right time.

Outside of that overlap, the teams work independently. This requires good documentation, clear sprint goals, and a workflow where no one gets stuck waiting for an answer during the day. That discipline pays off twice over: it not only makes collaboration with India smoother, but it also improves your project management in general.

Language and Communication

Our developers in India work in English. Client communication takes place in Dutch via the Dutch part of the team. This minimises misunderstandings and ensures you always have someone who understands what you mean without having to translate it first.

For technical coordination, sprint reviews, or direct conversations with the team, we work in English. This isn’t a barrier for most clients, but if it is, we ensure there’s always a Dutch-speaking point of contact present.

Cultural differences: acknowledging and working with them

This is the aspect that people sometimes underestimate. The Netherlands and India have different communication styles, which affect how a team works together.

Dutch directness is not universal. In India, the hierarchy within a team is often more pronounced. People are less likely to speak up when they encounter an issue, especially when addressing a senior team member or a client. This means that as a Dutch client, you must actively encourage openness. What do you think? Do you see any risks? Is this schedule realistic for you?

Conversely, the collaboration also demands something from us. Building a personal connection isn’t a nice-to-have but a prerequisite for good work. That also means being less direct than we’re used to, and paying more attention to the relationship alongside the to-do list.

We work on this every day, and that makes all the difference.