Justice D.Y. Chandrachud highlights lawyers’ and think tanks’ role in strengthening state capacity

Centre for Research on International Trade (CRIT) Centres are shouldering key responsibilities in advancing India’s trade interests, said Commerce Secretary, Shri Sunil Barthwal. The remarks were made at the 8th Anniversary Celebration of the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), held at the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library, Teen Murthi House in New Delhi. Shri Sunil Barthwal, Guest of Honour for the Event, underlined that the work carried out by the Centres is deeply enmeshed with India’s national interests. He emphasized that their establishment was crucial to safeguard the confidentiality of trade negotiations, while at the same time contributing to the development of strong in-house capacity.

Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, former Chief Justice of India and Chief Guest for the Event, emphasized the role of lawyers and think tanks in developing state capacity which has strategic importance in statecraft. Shri Chandrachud commented the role of CTIL is augmenting the capacity of Government by bringing in the necessary expertise and the skillset in the field of trade and investment law. He noted how the capacity building initiatives have started yielding results in trade negotiations and settlement. Shri Chandrachud noted CTIL's efforts in experiential learning programmes such as TradeLab and advocated for its expansion to other law schools.

Professor James J. Nedumpara, outlined the activities of the Centres and the areas where the Centre has contributed to the activities of the Department of Commerce and various Ministries in providing timely legal inputs and analysis range from trade negotiations, legislative drafting, rule making, and dispute settlement. He also outlined the various academic and collaborative activities that CTIL has undertaken since its foundation.

The occasion was further enriched by the presence of Dr. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, the Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in New Delhi who delivered the Vice-Chancellor’s Address. The event was graced by the presence of Shri Satya Srinivas, Special Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Government of India, and other senior officials, lawyers and law students. from the Government of India were present.

On the occasion of the Eighth Anniversary, CTIL launched two publications. The annual CTIL Magazine was released with the theme “Reimagining International Economic Law: Reform, Resilience, Rebuild” and a book titled “Bespoke Treaties or Standard Models? – A Study of International Investment Treaty Provisions of India’s Key Trade Partners” published by LexisNexis.

Trade law capacity building strengthens government negotiation, drafting, rulemaking and dispute settlement capabilities. CRIT Centres, led by CTIL, enhance government capacity in trade and investment law by safeguarding confidentiality in negotiations and building in house expertise. CTIL provides operative legal inputs for trade negotiations, legislative drafting, rulemaking, and dispute settlement, and conducts experiential training like TradeLab. The Centre also produces research and publications to support policy and negotiation strategy.