5th ICA International Conference 2026 on Arbitration in the Era of Globalization Brings Top Legal Experts and Global Titans Together

New Delhi | April 10–11, 2026

The Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) is organising the 5th ICA International Conference on “Arbitration in the Era of Globalization” on April 10–11, 2026, at the Auditorium, 6th Floor, S-Block, High Court of Delhi. The conference will focus on Legal Technology, Economic Development & Cross-Border Disputes, bringing together leading jurists, policymakers, international arbitration experts, and corporate counsel from across the globe.

Organiser: Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA)

The conference is being organised by the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA), one of India’s premier arbitral institutions. The event is being led by Mr. Arun Chawla, Director General, ICA & Former Director General, FICCI, and Dr. N. G. Khaitan, President, ICA & Senior Partner, Khaitan & Co., who are playing a key role in conceptualising and executing this flagship international conference. ICA has been instrumental in promoting institutional arbitration in India and facilitating both domestic and international dispute resolution. Through this conference, it aims to create a robust platform for dialogue on emerging trends, challenges, and innovations in arbitration.

Distinguished Leadership and Judicial Participation

The conference will be graced by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, as the Chief Guest.

The technical sessions will be chaired by eminent judges of the Supreme Court of India, including:

• Hon’ble Ms. Justice B.V. Nagarathna
• Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah
• Hon’ble Mr. Justice Aravind Kumar
• Hon’ble Mr. Justice P. K. Mishra

The valedictory address will be delivered by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble Minister for Law & Justice, Government of India.

Special addresses will be delivered by:

• Shri Tarunjit Singh Sandhu, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
• Mr. Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
• Dr. Rajiv Mani, Law Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India
• Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.K. Sikri, International Judge, Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) & Former Judge, Supreme Court of India

Day 1: Inaugural Session and Legal-Tech Focus

The conference will commence with a registration session followed by the inaugural session featuring welcome and opening addresses by Mr. Arun Chawla, Director General, ICA & Former Director General, FICCI, and Dr. N. G. Khaitan, President, ICA & Senior Partner, Khaitan & Co.

The inaugural session will include:

• Special Address by Shri Tarunjit Singh Sandhu
• Inaugural Address by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant
• Vote of Thanks by Ms. Geeta Luthra, Vice-President, ICA & Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Inauguration of the Legal-Tech Expo will follow, highlighting innovations in arbitration and dispute resolution.

Day 2: Technical Sessions on Emerging Arbitration Issues

The second day will feature multiple technical sessions addressing key developments in arbitration:

Technical Session 1

Theme: Navigating the ADR Quagmire: Harmonizing Arbitration & Mediation

• Chair & Keynote Speaker: Hon’ble Ms. Justice B.V. Nagarathna
• Moderator: Dr. Pinky Anand, Senior Advocate & Former ASG

Technical Session 2

Theme: ADR Mechanisms: A Catalyst for Global Economic Growth & Investor Confidence

• Chair & Keynote Speaker: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah
• Moderator: Mr. Ratan K. Singh, Senior Advocate

Technical Session 3

Theme: The Future of Arbitration: AI and Legal Technology in a Digital Era

• Chair & Keynote Speaker: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra
• Moderator: Mr. Ganesh Chandru, Partner, Dua Associates

Technical Session 4

Theme: Policing Arbitration: Do Anti-Arbitration Injunctions Help or Hurt India’s Global Standing?

• Chair & Keynote Speaker: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Aravind Kumar
• Moderator: Mr. Amit Sibal, Senior Advocate

Fire-Side Chat: General Counsel Perspectives

A key highlight of the conference is the fire-side chat titled:
“In Conversation with Global General Counsel: Managing Risk, Disputes & Strategy in a Globalized Economy”

Moderated by Ms. Manjaree Chowdhary, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, Maruti Suzuki India, the panel will feature:

• Mr. Akhil Prasad, Boeing India
• Ms. Sujata Balachander, EY India
• Mr. Florian Cahn, Framatome – L-G
• Mr. Zubin Masani, Air India
• Ms. Vidyut Malhotra Gulati, Bharti Airtel

Roundtable Sessions: Global Cooperation in Arbitration

The conference will also host closed-door institutional roundtables focusing on geopolitics, global commerce, and arbitration.

Day 1 Roundtable

Theme: Geopolitics and Global Commerce: Institutional Arbitration as a Pillar of Stability in Cross-Border Trade

• Moderator: Ms. Bhumika Indulia, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Bar Bulletin

Day 2 Roundtable

Theme: One World One Resolution: A Global Network of Institutional Arbitration Centers

These sessions will include participation from:

• Government officials
• Arbitration practitioners
• Representatives from international institutions
• Observers including commercial attachés and global organizations such as UN (UNCITRAL), IMF, World Bank, and ADB

Global Participation

The conference features an impressive line-up of international speakers, including:

• Ms. Sapna Jhangiani KC, Blackstone Chambers
• Mr. Jimmy Yim SC, Drew & Napier
• Mr. Alex Gunning KC, One Essex Court
• Mr. Igor Gorchakov, Al-Tamimi & Co.
• Ms. Olga Boltenko FCIArb, Boltenko Arbiters

Alongside leading Indian practitioners and law firm partners, the conference reflects a strong blend of domestic and international expertise.

Organised by the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA), the 5th ICA International Conference is poised to serve as a premier platform for dialogue on the future of arbitration in a globalized world. By bringing together judicial leaders, policymakers, global arbitration experts, and corporate counsel, the conference underscores the growing importance of arbitration in addressing complex cross-border disputes.

With its focus on technology, policy, and global cooperation, the event is expected to contribute significantly to strengthening arbitration frameworks and enhancing India’s role in the international dispute resolution landscape.