The Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) organised a high-profile India–Singapore ADR Symposium-cum-Roundtable in New Delhi on the theme “Bridging Markets, Resolving Disputes.” The event brought together eminent judges, policymakers, diplomats, and arbitration experts from both nations to deliberate on strengthening cross-border dispute resolution mechanisms and deepening economic cooperation.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Ms Bhumika Indulia, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, the Bar Bulletin highlighting ICA’s six-decade leadership in institutional arbitration, including administration of claims exceeding USD 470 million and initiatives such as a dedicated panel of female arbitrators to promote diversity.
Mr. Arun Chawla, Director General, ICA, underlined the long-standing India–Singapore partnership, calling Singapore a key partner in India’s Act East Policy. Dr. N.G. Khaitan, Senior Partner, Khaitan & Co. and President of ICA, emphasised India’s transformation as an arbitration destination, pointing to the government’s reforms agenda and the ethos of “Mediation for the Nation.”
Dr. Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to Singapore, framed the future of the India–Singapore relationship around six pillars of growth, noting increased collaboration beyond metros into emerging states and cities. Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, highlighted Singapore’s role as one of India’s largest trading partners in ASEAN and stressed the need to institutionalise arbitration through a robust network of supportive institutions.
The symposium also featured insights from judicial leaders. Justice Philip Jeyaretnam, President of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), underscored Singapore’s neutrality and unique judicial framework for multijurisdictional disputes. Justice A.K. Sikri, International Judge at SICC and former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, pointed to Singapore’s “Trinity ecosystem” of SIAC, SIMC, and SICC as a model of synergy in arbitration, mediation, and commercial adjudication.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister for Law & Justice, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to legal reforms, anchoring it in India’s civilisational ethos of consensus-driven dispute resolution (Panch Parmeshwar). He stressed that strengthening arbitration frameworks is central to improving the ease of doing business and to India’s ambition of becoming a global hub for dispute resolution on its path to Viksit Bharat 2047.
The highlight of the event was the Roundtable on ADR in the India–Singapore Corridor, chaired by Justice A.K. Sikri and moderated by Mr. Mohit Saraf (Founding Partner, Saraf & Partners) and Mr. Francis Xavier SC (Regional Head of Disputes Group, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP). Panelists included Dr. Pinky Anand, Ms. Geeta Luthra, Mr. Rohit Singhal, Mr. Chou Sean Yu, and Mr. Kirindeep Singh, who shared perspectives on mediation, arbitration, investor protection, and international best practices.
Key themes from the Roundtable included:
Mediation in India: With the enactment of the Mediation Act, 2023, enforceability of international settlements remains a critical priority. Hybrid mechanisms like med-arb were identified as promising solutions.
Construction Sector Disputes: Given infrastructure’s nearly 10% share of India’s GDP, panelists stressed the urgency of faster resolution mechanisms to safeguard project timelines and cash flows.
Arbitration Reforms: India’s arbitration landscape has significantly improved since 2015, with stronger judicial support, legislative amendments, and institutional growth.
Singapore’s Experience: The success of Singapore’s integrated framework and the Singapore Convention on Mediation was recognised as a model for India to emulate.
In his remarks, Justice Sikri observed that India’s investor confidence and economic growth depend on credible and efficient ADR systems, making such dialogue “both timely and necessary.”
The programme concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Arun Chawla, who noted: “This platform has brought together thought leaders from India and Singapore to strengthen institutional arbitration as the backbone of trust in global commerce. The India–Singapore corridor is poised to set benchmarks in effective cross-border dispute resolution.”
Established in 1965, the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) is India’s premier arbitral institution, promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a cost-effective and efficient mechanism for resolving commercial disputes. Over six decades, ICA has administered claims worth billions and played a central role in aligning India’s arbitration practices with global standards.