Speaking at the General Counsel Annual Meet and Seminar organized by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), Anju Rathi Rana, Secretary of the Department of Legal Affairs of the Ministry of Law and Justice underscored the evolving role of general counsel (GCs) in an increasingly complex global business environment. Themed “The GC’s Geopolitical Edge: Mastering Global Risks,” the 2025 edition of the seminar brought together legal and business leaders to explore the intersection of law, risk, and strategy.
In her address, Ms Rana emphasized that the role of GCs has transformed far beyond legal compliance. “Today, a general counsel is not just an advisor, but a navigator, a risk engineer, a strategic thinker, and a custodian of corporate integrity,” she said. With geopolitical shifts, evolving regulatory frameworks, and cross-border data governance challenges reshaping global trade, she noted that GCs now operate at the frontlines of institutional resilience and long-term business adaptability.
Referring to India’s legal reforms, Ms Rana highlighted key initiatives undertaken by the Government of India to create a modern, innovation-friendly legal ecosystem. She mentioned the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which decriminalizes minor offences across 42 legislations, the Mediation Act, 2023, aimed at institutionalising out-of-court settlements, and significant enhancements to arbitration, intellectual property rights, and digital data protection laws.
“Compliance today is global, granular, and high-stakes,” she noted, referencing frameworks such as GDPR in Europe, FCPA in the U.S., and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. These frameworks, she added, require GCs to constantly recalibrate internal governance systems while managing regulatory risks across jurisdictions.
Ms Rana also spoke about India’s regulatory transformation—from digitised customs and single-window clearances to faceless tax assessments and cross-border enforcement cooperation—which is making India a more efficient and rule-based destination for global business.
Importantly, she positioned GCs as “architects of trust,” stressing their role in embedding cultures of integrity, navigating global investigations, and preparing organisations for emerging risks such as cybersecurity threats, ESG mandates, and AI regulation.
Reaffirming the strength of the Indo-French partnership, Rana called for deeper collaboration between legal ecosystems of both nations. “As strategic partners, we must take this legacy forward into the legal space—co-creating a global order rooted in transparency, mutual respect, and rule of law,” she stated.
She concluded with a strong message:
“In today’s unpredictable world, law must serve both as compass and anchor. The Government of India is committed to building legal infrastructure that inspires global confidence but its success depends on continuous dialogue with leaders like you.”
The event marked a crucial moment of reflection on how legal leadership must evolve in tandem with global risk and regulatory transformation.