Protection of Foreign Investment in India and Investment Treaty Arbitration

Abstract

India is one of the fastest growing economies and intends to achieve the desired growth with the help of foreign investment. Recently, India terminated all the existing Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and announced to renegotiate them based on the newly issued Model BIT. This book is the first comprehensive commentary and analyses of international investment law with focus on India. It offers detailed examination of India's legal position in relation to protection of foreign investment and the impact of investment treaty arbitration and related jurisprudence on the country's governance structures and regulatory framework. Additionally, it reflects upon the political and economic rationales for the policy on foreign investment. Among the matters discussed are the following: • jurisprudence of investment tribunals, with focus on cases where India was a party (White Industries v. India); • impact of the Make in India campaign and other reforms on foreign investment; • requirement of valid entry and operation of foreign investment; • prominent treatment standards such as expropriation, fair and equitable treatment, full protection and security, most favoured nation, and national treatment; • dispute resolution clauses and enforcement of investment arbitration awards; • interaction of protection of foreign investment and the Indian judiciary; and • reasons for India not joining the ICSID Convention. Given India's position as a hugely influential player in the cross-border movement of capital, with the willingness to ‘change the rules'on foreign investment and investment treaty arbitration worldwide, this book will prove of immeasurable value to practitioners, legal academics, interested policy makers, multinational corporations and their counsel and others interested in international investment law and India.