Amazon launches Kindle store in India

US e-commerce giant Amazon on Wednesday launched its Kindle Store in India, claiming to have the largest selection of any e-bookstore in the country.

The India Kindle Store offers over one million e-books, priced in Indian rupees, including 70 of the top selling editions.

"We are proud to launch this new Kindle store for Indian customers, offering Kindle book purchases in rupees and the ability to buy and read the work of many great Indian authors," said Russ Grandinetti, vice president of Kindle content for Amazon.

The Kindle reader will be sold exclusively in Croma stores across India at an introductory price of 6,999 rupees (around $125).

"Kindle is the bestselling e-reader in the world and has revolutionized the way people read," said Ajit Joshi, chief executive and managing director of Croma.

Customers may also download and read books on the iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, and Android-based devices.

The India Kindle Store features new releases, best sellers and other works from a range of Indian authors, including Chetan Bhagat, Ashwin Sanghi, Ravinder Singh and Amish Tripathi.

Some exclusive Kindle books will be available and over one million classics can be downloaded for free.

Amazon also launched Kindle Direct Publishing for independent authors and publishers in India, allowing them to make their books available to customers worldwide on Kindle devices and reading apps.

Authors and publishers in India will be able to set prices specific for India and receive royalty payments in rupees.

Amazon has a number of Kindle stores for customers around the world in addition to its US store.

(c) 2012 AFP