ICA Hosted India–Singapore ADR Symposium At Singapore Convention Week 2025

The Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) convened a Symposium-cum-Roundtable on “Bridging Markets, Resolving Disputes via ADR in the India–Singapore Corridor” during Singapore Convention Week 2025. The event reinforced India's commitment to promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on the global stage, in alignment with the national vision of establishing India as a global hub for arbitration.

The inaugural session underscored the role of efficient and effective ADR mechanisms in enhancing investor confidence, particularly relevant given Singapore's status as one of the preferred arbitration seats. Speakers also reflected on the shared synergy between India and Singapore in their pro-arbitration stances and mutual commitment to fostering an investor-friendly environment. This alignment between the two democracies was highlighted as a driver in advancing cross-border commercial cooperation and promoting trust in dispute resolution frameworks.

Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of Law & Justice, Government of India delivered the Keynote Address reaffirming the Government's commitment to legal reforms rooted in India's civilizational ethos. Citing the doctrine of Panch Parmeshwar, which embodies the principle of collective consensus in dispute resolution, he emphasized India's march toward Viksit Bharat 2047. He highlighted that strengthening arbitration frameworks is pivotal to enhancing ease of doing business and positioning India as a global hub for dispute resolution. Commending the ICA for organizing the symposium and the relevance of its theme, he entrusted the ICA with the responsibility of advancing ADR collaboration within the India–Singapore economic corridor.

Also, during the opening session Dr. Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to Singapore, in his address noted that bilateral collaboration is expanding beyond Delhi and Mumbai to India's states and emerging cities, with growing business partnerships supported by Chief Ministers' visits. Framing the relationship around six pillars, UPI, skilling, advanced manufacturing, connectivity, health, and sustainability—he emphasized efforts to build a collaborative ecosystem. He also highlighted the rising presence of Singapore-based FPIs in India, and the growing need for legal support as engagement deepens at both national and state levels.

Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India, in her address, emphasized Singapore's status as one of India's largest trading partners in ASEAN and a frontrunner in FDI inflows into India. She recalled India's commitment to international arbitration, being one of the first six Asian signatories of the Geneva Convention and among the ten original signatories of the New York Convention. Dr. Rana highlighted the institutionalization of arbitration through trusted institutional arbitration centres in India and underscored the need to build an ecosystem of mutually supportive institutions across jurisdictions.

Recognizing the strategic importance of neutral seats in cross-border dispute resolution, Justice Philip Jeyaretnam, President of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) & Judge, High Court of Singapore in his address highlighted Singapore's position as a small, neutral, and multicultural city-state, making it an ideal venue for resolving cross-border commercial disputes. Emphasizing its three-pillar judicial structure, comprising Singapore commercial judges, international common law judges, and international civil law judges, he noted that Singapore has built a supportive legal ecosystem grounded in speed, efficiency, and openness to cultural diversity.

Building on the ongoing discussion, Justice A.K. Sikri, International Judge, Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) and Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, in his special address, contextualized arbitration within a changing global order, noting that the world is shifting from globalisation to 'globalisation'. He highlighted Singapore's “Trinity ecosystem” (SIAC, SIMC, and SICC) as a model of synergy across arbitration, mediation, and commercial adjudication. He further pointed to the MoU between the Supreme Courts of India and Singapore as a testament to the judicial collaboration between the two countries.

Dr. N G Khaitan, President, ICA & Senior Partner, Khaitan & Co, in his opening address highlighted ICA's 60-year legacy and India's arbitration culture dating back to 1781. Congratulating Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal for the latest National Litigation Policy and other legislative reforms under his leadership, he emphasized India's rapid economic transformation, litigation reforms, and the resolution of over 700,000 cases through mediation in recent years. He urged global investors to trust India as an equally reliable forum for dispute resolution alongside Singapore, noting that India is one of the experienced countries handling diverse cases. Embracing the challenge to reform, perform, and transform, he affirmed that India has today emerged as a golden nation.

Mr. Arun Chawla, Director General, ICA in his remarks reflected on the partnership between India and Singapore, highlighting Singapore's role in India's Act East Policy. He noted that “India and Singapore have indeed embraced change” and emphasized the symposium as a platform for institutional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and fostering investor confidence through dispute resolution. Stressing that ADR should not only be one of the most preferred but the most preferred dispute resolution mechanisms, he expressed commitment to honour the trust bestowed by Union Law Minister Shri Meghwal, to lead the ADR synergy between India-Singapore corridor towards new heights.

The roundtable that followed explored the nuanced challenges and practical considerations of applying ADR in dispute scenarios. Distinguished speakers shared insights on both the opportunities and limitations of ADR, while reaffirming its well-established strengths in time efficiency, cost effectiveness, and confidentiality. The session was chaired by Justice A.K. Sikri, International Judge, Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) and Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, and moderated by Mr. Mohit Saraf, Founder & Managing Partner of Saraf & Partners, alongside Mr. Francis Xavier SC, Regional Head of Disputes Group at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP and Member of the ICA International Advisory Board (Singapore). Speakers included Dr. Pinky Anand, FCIArb, Senior Advocate and Former Additional Solicitor General of India; Ms. Geeta Luthra, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India and Vice President of ICA; Mr. Rohit Singhal, CEO of MASIN; Mr. Chou Sean Yu, Managing Partner and Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group at Wong Partnership; and Mr. Kirindeep Singh, Senior Partner, Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Arbitration Practice Groups, Dentons Rodyk, Singapore.

ICA is one of the oldest arbitral institution in India, established in 1965 with co-founders Government of India & FICCI among others. They have the highest adjudication rate of arbitration matters in India. Annually, the ICA adjudicates claims exceeding INR 4000 crores (approximately USD 470 million), highlighting its role in dispute resolution. In addition to its role in spearheading institutional arbitration in India, ICA also has role in propagating and popularizing idea of ADR mechanisms, of disseminating information and educational material concerning arbitration processes and law.