I bit the bullet and started adding CSI data a few days ago. In the first pass, I backfilled instruments I already have and added some delisted instruments that have a reasonable history (such as pork bellies and the German Deutschmark bonds).
This exercise produced some interesting results: The Sharpe ratio of the backtest increased by 0.1. This effect is due to greater diversification in the earlier parts of the backtest (70s to mid-90s), as there are now more instruments traded (I use a dynamic IDM).
The next step is to add more instruments. I have identified another 111 instruments that fit my liquidity constraints. As many of you have done this work, I have to admit that adding instruments is pure slavery. It is highly manual and requires constant concentration, juggling websites, databases and Excel spreadsheets. I feel as if I had signed up for my first junior position again.
Now to my question: I have come across instruments on the NSE (Nifty and NiftyBank). Are these instruments tradable by non-indian-residents? I have seen some references to an application form on the IB website but do not know what to make of it. On the operational side, I am struggling with instruments quoted in INR. As my base currency is EUR, I need a EUR.INR forex rate but cannot find it on IB. Does anyone have any experience trading NIFTY?
As always, thanks for your consideration and stay tuned for how much sharpe increases going from a 100 to about 200 instruments (I guess Rob could spoiler the answer

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