Can You Be Fluent in English with an Indian Accent? Understanding Mother Tongue Influence

Dear seniors,
I want to know the difference between “fluent” in English and” mother tongue influence”.
Could someone (non English person) who is fluent in English have a MTI? Does it mean that if anyone who has MTI is not fluent or not good in English? As oxford dictionary (Indian edition) “Fluent” means speaking or writing in a clear and natural manner or accurately. Does one who speaks our “Indian accent” is not fluent English?

Thanking you all.
Sincerely
Ben j

Being fluent in any language and having a particular accent are two different things. You may not have MTI but not be fluent in a language, and vice versa.

Have a nice day.

Simhan

Look at all the TV news anchors—that's a neutral Indian accent, and that's as fluent as anything in the world. Hear Amitabh Bachchan talk or some of the young businessmen who are very articulate—all of them speak in a neutral Indian accent.

The Ideal Accent for Fluency

To be fluent, you need not copy either the American or British accent. The ideal goal is to have a neutral Indian accent. A neutral Indian accent doesn't have MTI but is not a copy of the American/British accent.