In a significant move towards fortifying India’s position as a global hub for arbitration, the Department of Legal Affairs hosted a high-level Conference on Institutional Arbitration, bringing together the country’s leading voices in law, commerce, and governance. The event served as a clarion call to advance India’s commitment to credible, structured, and forward-looking dispute resolution, with a special emphasis on the transformative role of the India International Arbitration Centre (‘IIAC’).
The Conference not only underscored the strategic vision behind institutionalising arbitration in India but also highlighted the need for creating an ecosystem that is efficient, transparent, and globally competitive. As India continues to rise as a preferred destination for investment and cross-border collaboration, the role of robust dispute resolution frameworks—anchored by institutions like the IIAC—has never been more critical.
The Conference commenced with a warm and insightful Welcome Address by Justice (Retd.) Hemant Gupta, Chairperson, IIAC. In his remarks, Justice Gupta highlighted the critical importance of institutional arbitration in enhancing the efficiency, credibility, and international standing of India’s dispute resolution landscape. He emphasised the IIAC’s mission to serve as a neutral, independent, and world-class institution, aligned with global best practices. He pointed out a critical paradox: litigation in India remains relatively inexpensive, which, while accessible, sometimes leads to excessive and avoidable legal proceedings. He noted that the cost of litigation often fails to follow the outcome. This, he stressed, must be addressed in the interest of justice and efficiency.
This was followed by a brief yet impactful presentation by the Department of Legal Affairs, offering a comprehensive overview of the legislative and policy initiatives undertaken to promote institutional arbitration in India.
Adding the perspective of India’s corporate and public sector leadership, Arun Kumar Singh Chairman of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) addressed the gathering, underlining the importance of arbitration in resolving complex commercial disputes involving public enterprises.
Further enriching the discussion, the K. Moses Chalai, Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, shared insights on the evolving expectations from institutional arbitration in safeguarding the interests of public sector undertakings.
The Conference progressed with a thoughtful address by Ms. Anju Rathi Rana, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, who reinforced the Centre’s commitment to establishing India as a leading destination for arbitration. She reflected on the legal and institutional reforms spearheaded by her department and called for continued collaboration between stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the IIAC.
Framing arbitration as a strategic imperative, Ms. Rana remarked that India’s commitment to institutional arbitration is anchored in the broader national vision of reform and resurgence under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. “We are here not merely to deliberate, but to drive,” she stated emphatically, calling upon all stakeholders to contribute to a shared national goal: strengthening India’s institutional arbitration framework and elevating IIAC to global standards.
Marking 11 years of transformative governance, she described this moment as a timely opportunity for reflection—on the “Seva, Sushasan, aur Garib Kalyan” campaign and its consistency in delivery through structural legal reforms. Over the past decade, India has decisively moved away from colonial legal legacies, simplified procedural laws, and embraced digital transformation to make the legal system more efficient, transparent, and accessible.
Quoting Prime Minister Modi, she reaffirmed:
“Businesses seek assurance of the prevalence of the rule of law in the Indian market. They need to be assured that the rules of the game will not change overnight in an arbitrary fashion and that commercial disputes will be resolved efficiently.”
This, she noted, reflects the essence of India’s legal reforms—a predictable legal framework backed by a robust arbitration culture. Under this vision, the Ministry of Law and Justice, through the Department of Legal Affairs, has worked to modernize dispute resolution, reform arbitration law, and build legal institutions that are inclusive, responsive, and globally competitive.
From repealing outdated laws to digitising court records and expanding virtual hearings, the Ministry has remained at the forefront of India’s legal transformation—a transformation that places institutional arbitration at its core.
The Conference was also graced by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, who attended as the Guest of Honour and underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening India’s dispute resolution framework.
Further anchoring his address in the government’s vision, Law Minister invoked the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has emphasised the need to build a “vibrant ecosystem for dispute resolution” in India. Echoing this sentiment, the Minister called for a cultural and structural shift in how disputes are perceived and addressed—not merely as adversarial battles, but as opportunities for equitable, timely, and efficient resolution.
He drew attention to the alarming volume of pending cases in Indian courts, underscoring the urgent need to alleviate the judicial burden through credible alternatives like institutional arbitration. The Minister stressed that institutional mechanisms such as the IIAC are not just supplementary forums, but central to the future of dispute resolution in India.
To illustrate his point, Shri Meghwal cited the example of a legal dispute between two Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), remarking how such inter-governmental litigation drains national resources—from public funds to court time and administrative bandwidth. “When both sides are the State, who really wins?” He asked rhetorically, making a compelling case for arbitration and mediation as the smarter and more responsible path forward.
Significantly, Shri Meghwal spoke about India’s traditional affinity with arbitration, noting that consensual dispute resolution has always been embedded in Indian culture—whether through village panchayats, elders, or customary forums. It is now time, he said, to reclaim and modernize that cultural heritage through structured institutions like the IIAC.
Quoting the Constitution, he emphasised the importance of learning to be both rigid and flexible when necessary, drawing parallels with the qualities required to govern effectively and resolve disputes justly. “Arbitration is a good thing,” he said plainly—but with deep conviction, signaling the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s arbitration framework and projecting it confidently on the global stage.
Concluding his address on a note of determination and optimism, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal declared with confidence: “India will become the arbitration hub.” This was not merely a statement of intent, but a call to action—for policymakers, practitioners, public sector leaders, and institutions to collectively shape a robust, self-reliant, and globally respected arbitration ecosystem.
The Conference served as a vital platform to reaffirm India’s strategic commitment to reshaping its dispute resolution architecture. With engaging discussions, powerful addresses, and policy-level insights from distinguished leaders the conference underscored a unified national vision: to strengthen institutional arbitration, streamline commercial dispute resolution, and ultimately, position India as a leading global hub for arbitration.
