The world's largest democracy, the home to nearly 1.5 billion people, has won 181 gold medals since first participating in London in 1934.

However, the decision to axe shooting from the Birmingham 2022 progamme, one of the country's most medal-laden sports, sparked outrage and there were even threats to withdraw in protest.

A proposal to hold a separate Commonwealth Archery and Shooting Championships in India was abandoned due to COVID-19 and although the country has travelled to Birmingham, the situation remains frosty.

India hosted the Games in Delhi in 2010 and has brought around 205 athletes to Birmingham 2022.

The Chef de Mission is Rajesh Bhandari, the secretary general of the Indian Boxing Federation.

"We are satisfied with the facilities here," he said.

"The teams from different disciplines will be staying at five different Villages and these venues are far away from each other. 

"However, we have deputed officials at different locations to take care of athletes and cater to their needs."

Cricket-mad India will hope for success in the inaugural women's T20 tournament, where they face a tasty clash with rivals Pakistan in the group stage.

With Birmingham home to large numbers of Indian people and others with Indian heritage, the country's athletes can expect strong support wherever they are.

There was disappointment when Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra was ruled out with injury on the eve of the Games, but they will have big hopes for the likes of badminton player PV Sindhu, the 2019 world champion and a double Olympic medallist.

Boxer Mary Kom boasts six world titles and topped the podium at light flyweight at Gold Coast 2018, while there are also good prospects in both men's and women's hockey.

Murali Sreeshankar is another who looks like a good hope in the men's long jump, as well as Seema Antil in the women's discus.

Sanket Sargar is one to watch in the men's 55 kilograms weightlifting.

Bhandari said the team has factored in the threat of the spread of coronavirus.

"We are aware of COVID but there are precautions in place and we are not afraid," he said.

In January, the Queen's Baton Relay spent four days in India where it visited New Delhi, Bangalore and Bhubaneswar.

The Relay made a trip to the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and India Gate.

Other stops were Konark Sun Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya.

One of the batonbearers was Vinisha Umashankar, who was chosen by the Relay's official partner the University of Birmingham,

He is a 14-year-old student from Tamil Nadu, who designed a mobile solar powered ironing cart which reduces the need for polluting coal energy.