London: An Indian delegation led by Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, completed a successful visit to the United Kingdom from September 30 to October 2, 2024. The visit, aimed at enhancing bilateral legal cooperation, included high-level meetings and significant engagements with UK officials and members of the Indian diaspora.
Meghwal was accompanied by Dr. Rajiv Mani, Secretary of the Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, and Dhruva Kumar Singh, Chief Controller of Accounts in the Department of Legal Affairs. India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, and other senior officers from the Indian High Commission also joined the delegation during the visit.
A key highlight of the trip was the bilateral meeting between Meghwal and the UK’s Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, The Rt. Shabana Mahmood. The discussions, held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, centered on deepening cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the areas of simplifying laws, using plain language in legislative drafting, and sharing best practices in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as arbitration and mediation.
Meghwal briefed the UK delegation on the various legal reforms India has undertaken to facilitate quicker dispute resolution, promote economic growth, and attract investments. He also provided an update on the ongoing efforts to allow UK-qualified legal professionals and law firms to operate in India, a topic that was discussed during a separate meeting between the Chairman of the Bar Council of India and the President of the Law Society of England and Wales.
The Minister also attended a series of high-profile events during his UK visit. On October 2, 2024, Meghwal was the Chief Guest at a Gandhi Jayanti function organized by the Indian High Commission at Tavistock Square in London, where he paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Additionally, he visited the London School of Economics (LSE) and other locations associated with Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Swami Vivekananda, paying homage to these great Indian leaders during their time in London.
On October 1, Meghwal attended the prestigious opening ceremony of the UK Legal Year at Westminster Abbey, where he was joined by justice ministers and high-level representatives from various countries, including Italy, Germany, and the European Union. The event underscored India’s commitment to strengthening ties with global legal institutions.