At a high-profile colloquium on international arbitration in New Delhi, legal experts underscored India’s need to strengthen its arbitration framework and position itself as a global leader. Hosted by the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC) in partnership with Baker McKenzie, the event brought together key figures, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Justice (Retd.) Hemant Gupta, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, and Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO).
Justice Gupta, in his opening remarks, pointed to India’s lag in the global arbitration space despite its firms generating over half of the arbitration cases. Yet, Indian arbitrators make up only 3% of appointments at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. He urged legal professionals to push for India-seated arbitration, rather than defaulting to foreign jurisdictions, stating, “It is high time that Indian law firms insist on arbitration in India rather than elsewhere.”
Attorney General Venkataramani echoed the call for institutional arbitration, advocating for the newly launched Arbitration Bar of India as a crucial step in solidifying India’s arbitration landscape. He also proposed a New Delhi Convention on Arbitration to build upon regional developments over the last two decades, ensuring India plays a pivotal role in shaping international arbitration policies.
The discussions reflected a broader vision—one that connects arbitration reforms to India’s expanding role in global trade and investment. With a push for reduced judicial interference and a stronger ethical foundation, the speakers highlighted the urgent need for India to reclaim its arbitration sovereignty on the world stage.
