New Delhi, April 8, 2026. In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening legal cooperation between India and the United Kingdom, a high-level meeting was held on April 6, 2026, at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. During this meeting, Dr. Rajiv Mani, Secretary of the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice (Government of India), welcomed a delegation from the Law Society of England and Wales (LSEW).
The delegation was led by Mark Evans, President of the LSEW. He was accompanied by Preeti Sahni, International Policy Advisor (South Asia and ASEAN). During this courtesy visit, both sides engaged in detailed discussions regarding various aspects of enhancing cooperation in the field of legal services.
The meeting took place at a juncture when the Bar Council of India has notified revised rules for foreign lawyers and law firms. Under these new regulations, opportunities for international legal services within India are expected to expand, potentially giving fresh momentum to legal cooperation on a global scale.
During the discussions, representatives from both nations emphasized the promotion of cooperation in areas such as the exchange of legal services, the harmonization of professional standards, and training and capacity building. Additionally, measures to strengthen the legal framework governing international trade, investment, and dispute resolution were also deliberated upon.
Dr. Rajiv Mani remarked that India is a rapidly evolving legal market, and collaboration with global partners will unlock new possibilities within this sector. Echoing this sentiment, Mark Evans described India as a key legal and economic partner, stating that cooperation between the two nations would lead to an expansion of professional opportunities.
Experts believe that this dialogue will further reinforce the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the United Kingdom. The growing cooperation in the legal services sector is also expected to provide a positive direction to bilateral trade relations.
This meeting is poised to further solidify the deepening ties in the legal domain between the two countries, as well as the prospects for future collaboration.