New Delhi, March 4; The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) today announced the commencement of the first-ever India-US Legal Services Summit, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to fostering collaboration on corporate and legal issues between the two nations.
The inaugural session, graced by eminent dignitaries, showcased the unwavering commitment to strengthening the Indo-US partnership. The esteemed speakers included the Mr. R. Venkataramani; and the Additional Secretary, Solicitor General of India, Mr. Tushar Mehta; the Attorney General of India, Ministry of Law and Justice (Legal Department), Government of India, Dr Manoj Kumar.
The India-US Legal Services Summit, a testament to the growing strategic partnership between the two nations, offers a unique platform to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the increasingly interconnected global legal landscape.
In the welcome address, Dr. Lalit Bhasin, Chairman, IACC National Committee on Legal Services and President, Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), said, "This unique bilateral summit on Indo-US Cooperation on Corporate and Legal Issues is very significant as the legal professionals of the two countries would discuss contemporaneous developments not only in the two countries but also globally. India and the US have a very responsible role to play for the promotion of the economic well-being of their respective citizens and this can only be achieved by sharing ideas, concepts, and knowledge. The summit promises to enrich our quest for knowing the fast-changing favourable dynamics of the economic relations between the two countries."
Mr. R. Venkataramani, Attorney General of India, too, shared his perspective, when he said: "We are in a new mediaeval age where machines are not just tools but our masters, as Professor Robert Satterthwaite notes. Technology and science, being global powers, shape our contemporary ideas of law and justice globally. Our lives, even if domestic, are governed by constitutional principles. However, challenges arise in the practice of our revised dispute resolution systems and principles and in the unequal flow of benefits in bilateral treaty systems. A vision for a global legal commons, aligned with human rights, well-being, and protection, is crucial for addressing doubts about the free market's contribution to equality."
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, remarked, "America is believed to take the right decisions after exhausting all the wrong ones. However, there are stark differences in jurisprudence between India and the US. For instance, in India, one cannot disclose the name of a rape victim, whereas in the US, it's considered free speech if sourced officially. This difference is being balanced by the India-US legal services summit. The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce must enhance the formal role of lawyers to provide reliable legal assistance for the increasing foreign investment in India. My suggestion is to establish a centre with eminent lawyers for seamless cross-border investments. This would be a great service, not just to the nation but to the fastest-growing economy on this planet."
He further added, "I propose more engaged conversations between India and the U.S., fostering higher law and research development. India and the U.S. are integral parts of each other's GDP, and Indians hold significant positions in the legal field. Let's establish enduring exchange platforms in the realm of law and justice.”
In an era of increasing complexity in legal matters, the Indo-US Legal Services Summit serves as a critical forum for fostering bilateral ties and promoting legal excellence. The joint efforts can set new benchmarks for legal frameworks and best practices.
The inaugural session also witnessed the presence of distinguished guests, including Mr. Pankaj Bohra, National President of IACC; Ms. Pratibha Jain, Chairperson, ABA South Asia/Oceania and India Committee; Mr. Rajiv Chopra, Managing Director-Legal, Accenture; and Dr. Shardul S. Shroff, Executive Chairman, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and Company and Mr. Jaipat Jain, Partner at Lazare Potter Giacovas & Moyle LLP in New York.
The summit showcased a diverse array of engaging sessions, delving into pivotal topics such as Data Protection Laws and Privacy Issues, Intellectual Property Rights Chairman, Corporate Laws, Taxation for Investors, Climate Change, and Dispute Resolution Enforcement. Renowned legal luminaries from the United States, including Mr. Jaipat Jain, Partner at Lazare Potter Giacovas & Moyle LLP in New York; Mr. Peter Baugher, representing Baugher Dispute Resolution LLC in Chicago; and Mr. Hiro N. Aragaki, a Chartered Arbitrator from Los Angeles, actively participated in these insightful sessions, contributing their expertise to enrich the discussions surrounding the legal landscape. Their involvement added a global perspective, making these sessions a cornerstone of the summit's commitment to fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange in the legal domain.
As the summit unfolds, it aims to explore collaborative strategies, exchange legal perspectives, and facilitate cross-border partnerships. With an emphasis on fostering innovation and addressing shared challenges, the India-US Legal Services Summit sets the stage for a new era of legal cooperation.
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