Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of Law and Justice, delivered a compelling keynote address at the Riyadh International Disputes Week 2025 (‘RIDW 2025), emphasising the deepening Indo-Saudi legal cooperation and the role of arbitration in fostering economic and commercial stability. RIDW 2025 provides a unique platform for professionals to engage in meaningful discussions, while promising to contribute to the advancement of alternative dispute resolution methods and strengthen the global legal community.
The address was delivered during the Indian Council of Arbitration & Trilegal’s session- ‘Harnessing opportunities in the Saudi Arabia-India corridor for businesses and investors; Empowering Cross-Border Dispute Resolution’.
In his keynote speech, Mr. Meghwal underscored India and Saudi Arabia’s shared vision of strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, positioning both nations as leaders in international arbitration. He noted that, historically, businesses relied on arbitration hubs like London, Singapore, and Dubai, but today, India and Saudi Arabia are reshaping the global arbitration landscape by creating an Indo-Saudi Arbitration Corridor.
“Our collective synergy can help in creating an Indo-Saudi arbitration corridor—a legal framework designed for the Global South, ensuring that businesses do not have to look elsewhere for Justice. The legal world is shifting, and today the shift is happening here in Riyadh,” he remarked.
Strengthening Arbitration and Mediation Frameworks
He highlighted India’s progressive legal reforms that have enhanced its arbitration ecosystem, citing key legislative developments, including:
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Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 and amendments in 2015, 2019, and 2021 — Strengthening institutional arbitration, reducing judicial intervention, and ensuring timely resolution of disputes.
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India International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019 — Establishing a world-class arbitration body to compete with global institutions like Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Hong Kong International Arbitration (HKIAC), and Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).
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Mediation Act, 2023 — Promoting mediation as an effective out-of-court dispute resolution mechanism.
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Commercial Court Act, 2015, amended in 2018 — Encouraging pre-institution mediation for faster dispute resolution.
He emphasised that these reforms boost investor confidence, enhance the ease of doing business, and ensure fair, transparent, and cost-effective legal solutions.
He stated that successful settlement helps preserve the relationship among the parties, offer ease of living, and contributes to the growth of the economy.
“Arbitration acts as a catalyst for improving the business environment, contracts, inclusivity, as well as other aspects of ease of doing business. The spirit behind promoting arbitration ecosystem is that a minimal solution can be acceptable to avoid larger conflict.”
India’s steps towards Legal simplification
He discussed India’s technology-driven legal reforms, which have significantly improved governance, transparency, and citizen-centric legal solutions. He highlighted the repeal of over 1,562 obsolete laws, ensuring that businesses and citizens are not trapped in unnecessary legal complexities.
“At the core of these reforms is not just the idea of punishment but ensuring justice through efficiency and innovation. Technology has emerged as a big enabler for digitally empowering society,” he said.
Highlighting the intent behind these moves, he stated that the intent is simple, so that “citizens and businesses are not trapped in a wave of legal complexities.”
He also reaffirmed on India’s commitment to global legal cooperation, aligning with its ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family). He called upon stakeholders from government, business, and the legal community to collaborate in shaping a dynamic and inclusive global dispute resolution system.
He expressed that globalisation and enhanced cross-border exchanges have resulted in the requirement of the legal ecosystem and the justice delivery to evolve and keep pace with the dynamic requirements. He also added that evolving dispute resolution mechanism and the exciting proactive global cooperation of all stakeholders in the field are very welcoming.
Indo-Saudi Collaboration in Dispute Resolution
Highlighting the evolving Indo-Saudi partnership, Mr. Meghwal stressed the need for a robust legal framework to support commercial ties, energy partnerships, and investments between the two nations.
“A successful settlement helps preserve relationships among parties, offers ease of living, and contributes to economic growth. The application of mediation and arbitration serves as a better alternative to conventional dispute resolution methods,” he noted.
By fostering cross-border arbitration mechanisms, both nations can ensure enforcement of arbitral awards and promote universal state dispute settlement mechanisms. In this context, he stated that- “both India and Saudi Arabia can push further to develop legal synergies related to commercial arbitration.”
“Let us collectively translate this wisdom into action and showcase the best legal template to the 21st-century world,” he urged.
In conclusion, he expressed confidence stating that discussions at RIDW 2025 would lay the foundation for a stronger Indo-Saudi legal synergy, fostering economic growth and investor confidence.
