The Corporate and M&A Law Committee of the International Bar Association hosted a conference in Mumbai recently, which convened more than 230 legal and business leaders from 20 countries under the theme: Mergers and Acquisitions in India: A Key Engine to the USD30 Trillion Goal.
“India’s journey from potential to power is not an abstract vision; it is unfolding right now,” said Rabindra Jhunjhunwala, senior partner at Khaitan & Co and event co-chair. “In the world of global M&A, India is emerging as the most compelling narrative: dynamic, diverse and ready to scale. M&A is not just a business strategy here; it is the catalyst driving us toward a USD30 trillion economy.”
It was interesting to note that the international delegates outnumbered local participants for the first time, including a representative who had travelled nearly 16,000 kilometres from Argentina to participate, reflecting global confidence in India’s M&A market. The event saw record sponsorship, strong female representation and fresh perspectives with no repeat speakers (except committee officers).
As India’s FY 2024–25 M&A activity is nearing USD100 billion, driven by private equity and structural reforms, the conference underscored M&A’s role as an expansion tool in India’s growth trajectory.
Key themes included India’s USD30 trillion economic vision, the shifting role of financial investors as strategic acquirers, and the impact of geopolitics and regulatory trends on deal-making.
Sessions at the April conference also explored competition law enforcement, evolving corporate governance norms for listed companies and the rise of technology-led M&A among others. Stressed asset acquisitions and dispute trends before the National Company Law Tribunal was also featured.
