The Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday (April 10, 2026) said the credibility of India’s dispute resolution mechanisms will “increasingly influence how investors assess the country as a reliable destination for sustained investment”.

Speaking at the 5th ICA International Conference on “Arbitration in the Era of Globalization: Legal Technology, Economic Development & Cross-Border Disputes”, the Chief Justice said that, “Globalization ultimately depends not only upon the movement of capital, but upon the stability of expectations. Arbitration provides that stability. It reassures investors, supports commercial partnerships, and ensures that disagreement does not become disruption”.

Chief Justice Kant also expressed that, “it may be time to rethink the very expression ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution’ since it is no longer an alternative to litigation”.

“As I often like to say, it is better understood as ‘Other Dispute Resolution Mechanisms’, which are parallel pathways through which commercial stability is maintained in an interconnected world,” he said.

The Chief Justice further reminded that as arbitration becomes more closely integrated with other consensual processes of dispute resolution, it is also being reshaped by technology.

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“Virtual hearings, digital case-management platforms, and secure electronic transmission of documents have already revolutionised the conduct of such proceedings. These developments have improved accessibility and reduced logistical delays, particularly in cases where geography once posed serious constraints,” he added.

Delhi Lt. Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, speaking at the inaugural function, said, “in today’s deeply interconnected world, economic activities transcends borders”.

“Trade, investment, supply chains, operate across jurisdiction, making disputes more frequent and complex. In this environment, arbitration is no longer just an alternative mechanism. It is an essential pillar of global commerce,” the LG Singh said.

The 5th ICA International Conference is being held at the Delhi High Court Auditorium between April 10-11 and several judges, legal experts, and other dignitaries are also scheduled to grace the two-day event.