CJI Surya Kant Emphasizes Credibility of Dispute Resolution in Attracting Global Investment
New Delhi, April 11, 2026: Chief Justice of India (CJI), Surya Kant, underscored the critical link between legal stability and economic growth, stating that the credibility of India’s dispute resolution mechanisms will increasingly dictate how international investors perceive the country as a reliable destination for long-term capital.
Speaking at the 5th Edition of the ICA International Conference on “Arbitration in the Era of Globalization,” the CJI highlighted that in a globalized economy, the movement of capital relies heavily on the stability of expectations.
According to a press release, during his inaugural address, CJI Surya Kant noted, “Globalization ultimately depends not only upon the movement of capital, but upon the stability of expectations. Arbitration provides that stability. It reassures investors, supports commercial partnerships, and ensures that disagreement does not become disruption.” He argued that for India to transition into a global hub, institutional arbitration must expand its reach, bolster professional capacity, and align more closely with international best practices.
The Chief Justice specifically called upon public sector bodies and large corporate entities to lead the transition by adopting institutional rules more frequently. He remarked that “Encouraging parties, particularly public sector bodies and large commercial entities, to adopt institutional rules more frequently, will play an important role in this transition.” According to the CJI, developing specialized capacity within the Bar and arbitral panels across the country is essential for enhancing India’s standing in the global legal landscape.
Echoing these sentiments, the Lt. Governor of Delhi, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, pointed out that strengthening arbitration is a necessary step toward creating a predictable, rules-based environment for commerce. He emphasized Delhi’s unique advantage in this ecosystem due to the concentration of the Supreme Court, central ministries, and leading law firms. He stated, “The development of Delhi, as a global arbitration hub is not merely a matter of infrastructure, but of institutional alignment, and sustained policy support.”
Dr. N. G. Khaitan, President of the ICA and Senior Partner at Khaitan & Co., highlighted India’s competitive edge, noting that the country offers some of the most cost-effective institutional arbitration services worldwide. He emphasized the global respect garnered by Indian laws and Supreme Court judgments, adding, “India is one of the safest harbours to do business in the world today. The time has come that we must promote institutional arbitration. India provides and offers the cheapest institutional arbitration in the world. We have 2 million lawyers and 70,000 lawyers graduate every year. Our laws and judgments of the Supreme Court are being referred to in many countries of the world. They look at it with great respect. India should also be promoted as a destination for global arbitration.”
Concluding the session, Arun Chawla, Director General of the ICA, framed arbitration as a cornerstone of investor safety amidst current geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainties. He challenged India to take a leading role in defining a new global order centered on trust and the rule of law. “Is globalisation only about expanding markets or equally about strengthening the system that sustain trust across borders? And it’s time for India to play a more prominent role in shaping the rules of a new global order that is driven not only by profit but also certainty, fairness and rule of law,” Chawla stated, adding that such a system is critical for the sustenance of cross-border commerce.
