Habib Al Mulla strengthens presence in Delhi, India, amidst escalating cross-border legal requests
### Title: Foreign Legal Advisory Services Open Up New Opportunities for International Firms in India
In a significant shift for India's legal landscape, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has introduced new regulations allowing foreign law firms and lawyers to offer advisory services in India. These amended regulations, effective last week, permit foreign lawyers to provide advice on foreign and international law without affecting domestic legal sovereignty[1][2][5].
Under these regulations, foreign lawyers can now engage in advisory services related to foreign and international law[2]. The BCI has also established rules for the registration and regulation of foreign lawyers and law firms operating in India, creating a controlled environment for their activities. The regulations assure that domestic legal sovereignty will not be compromised[1].
These changes are likely to influence the expansion strategies of international law firms positively. Firms can now expand their offerings in India by providing specialized advisory services in foreign and international law. They may also explore partnerships with Indian law firms to leverage local expertise while offering global legal insights. By establishing a presence in India, international firms can better serve global clients with interests in the Indian market[6].
One such firm, Habib Al Mulla & Partners, has expressed excitement about deepening partnerships in India and delivering world-class solutions to clients[7]. The firm, which targets opportunities in infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy, has opened its fifth international office in New Delhi[8]. Siddhant Sharma, appointed to lead the Indian operations, brings significant legal expertise and experience from renowned Indian law firms[9].
Interestingly, unlike full-service international firms, Habib Al Mulla & Partners faces fewer restrictions on local law practice in India. This allows the firm to focus on advisory work while collaborating with Indian counterparts on domestic law matters[10]. The firm's consultancy model and strategic approach to expansion, coupled with the new regulations, could potentially encourage Habib Al Mulla & Partners to explore opportunities in the Indian market[11].
The Indian and UAE markets have seen a surge in bilateral trade, with India-UAE bilateral trade reaching $85 billion in FY2023-24[12]. Indian corporates increasingly view the UAE as a springboard for Middle East and African expansion. Indian and UAE interests are increasingly converging in the infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy sectors[13]. The comprehensive economic partnership agreement between India and UAE, signed in 2022, further strengthens this relationship[14].
Emirati businesses are also interested in India's consumption-driven growth story. Habib Al Mulla & Partners, with offices in Istanbul, Moscow, Baghdad, and now New Delhi, is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities[15]. The firm's move to recalibrate its India strategy follows regulatory changes in the country, positioning it for potential growth in the emerging Indian market.
References: [1] The Hindu BusinessLine, "Foreign law firms can now offer advisory services in India," 1st March 2025,
The amended regulations by the Bar Council of India permit foreign lawyers to provide advice on foreign and international law, thereby opening up new opportunities for dispute resolution and regulation within these fields. Habib Al Mulla & Partners, with its focus on infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy, can leverage these regulations to establish a controlled environment for their technology-driven advisory services in India.
