ICA Commended by Hon’ble Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, Judge, Supreme Court of India for Pioneering ADR Leadership Since 1965; Unified Call for Strengthening Institutional ADR Mechanisms in India

New Delhi – The Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) convened a high-level session on “ADR Tapestry: Weaving a Resilient Arbitration & Mediation Ecosystem in India” as part of the Delhi Arbitration Weekend (DAW) 2025.

The event was a resounding success, attracting over 650 delegates from the judiciary, legal fraternity, academia, and business. The inaugural session underscored the critical role of efficient alternative dispute resolution (ADR) systems in building investor and business confidence, an imperative as India charts its path toward sustained economic growth.
The deliberations reflected on India’s ADR journey, the growing embrace of global best practices, and the expanding role of mediation, not just in personal law but also in high-value commercial disputes.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, Judge, Supreme Court of India, reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to strengthening India’s ADR ecosystem. He observed that India’s ADR landscape has advanced well beyond its infancy, even as further development remains essential.

Commending ICA’s pioneering role, Justice Mishra remarked: “Few institutions in India have played such a sustained and vital role in promoting ADR adoption and usage, particularly in commercial arbitration, as the ICA has since 1965. It is therefore entirely appropriate that we gather here under the banner of ICA to reflect on the present and future of the ADR ecosystem in India.”
He further invoked historical references, from the Mahabharata to medieval merchant guilds, to illustrate India’s deep-rooted tradition of arbitration and mediation. Linking this legacy with modern aspirations, he stressed that as India advances toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy, an efficient justice delivery system, anchored by robust ADR frameworks, will be indispensable for attracting and sustaining investment.

During the inaugural session Dr. N. G. Khaitan, President of ICA and Senior Partner, Khaitan & Co., in his special address highlighted that in developed nations over 90% of commercial disputes are resolved through mediation, which is seen as a primary rather than secondary mechanism. Applauding the Indian judiciary’s pro-arbitration stance, he cited the success of mediation-driven initiatives in India that have already resolved over 14 lakh cases at minimal cost. He underscored the urgent need to expand institutional arbitration and reduce dependence on ad hoc proceedings, citing China’s 300+ institutional centers as a benchmark compared to India’s limited capacity.

Mr. Arun Chawla, Director General of ICA and former DG of FICCI, called for a unified, future-ready dispute resolution framework aligned with India’s ambition to become a global ADR hub. He pointed to landmark judicial pronouncements and initiatives such as the Supreme Court-NALSA “Mediation for the Nation” campaign as signals of India’s commitment. Stressing the need to integrate arbitration, mediation, and conciliation into a cohesive, tech-driven system, he urged collective action to move disputes away from protracted litigation.

A panel discussion followed, addressing judicial intervention in ADR and the balance needed to maintain parties’ trust in institutional mechanisms. The session was moderated by Dr. Pinky Anand, FCIArb, Senior Advocate & Former Additional Solicitor General of India, and featured an eminent panel including:
• Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jasmeet Singh, Judge, High Court of Delhi
• Ms. Geeta Luthra, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Vice President, ICA
• Mr. Mohit Saraf, Founder & Managing Partner, Saraf & Partners
• Mr. Sanjeev Kapoor, Partner, Dispute Resolution, Khaitan & Co.
• Mr. Ganesh Chandru, Partner, Dispute Resolution, Dua Associates
• Mr. Mayank Singh Thakur, Senior Partner & Country Head – India, MASIN
• Prof. Pankaj Chaudhary, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi