Investment Arbitration Meets Economic Security: Europe-South Asia
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Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, conducted a five-day European–South Asia Arbitration Bootcamp 2025 in collaboration with CELIS Institute, Berlin, Germany, from 18–22 August 2025.
This Bootcamp is part of an ongoing annual programme hosted by the CELIS Institute and RRU. It is offered in a hybrid format (both online and on-site) and is aimed at professionals, government officials, and students who want to deepen their skills in investment arbitration and economic security.
The 2025 edition, themed “Investment Arbitration Meets Economic Security,” sought to bridge Europe and South Asia through mutual exchange and comparative insights into their investment regimes and security strategies, enriching participants’ strategic understanding. It enhanced legal risk assessment, supported compliance with economic security regulations, and equipped participants with global best practices. The Bootcamp also created a unique platform for academic-practitioner dialogue and fostered a network of future cooperation between Europe and South Asia. It further empowered participants to understand arbitration in the context of evolving global security challenges.
A major focus in recent years has been the growing interplay between investment arbitration and economic security. Many countries, especially in Europe, now have investment screening mechanisms and foreign direct investment (FDI) review regimes. Comparing these regimes with South Asian practices helps participants better assess risks, understand how national security concerns can affect investment, and anticipate regulatory compliance challenges.
The event started on 18 August 2025 with the Inaugural and the felicitation of Prof. (Dr.) Steffen Hindelang, Professor of International Investment and Trade Law, Uppsala University, Sweden, and Executive Director, CELIS Institute, by Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, Vice Chancellor, RRU.
Prof. Steffen Hindelang is a recognised expert in investment law and has advised European governments and the EU on investment screening and arbitration policy. The CELIS Institute, which he leads, is well known in Europe for its work on balancing foreign investment regulation with national security, public order, and competitiveness.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Patel underlined that in a world where economic self-interest is rapidly expanding, the need for strong financial discipline has never been greater. He emphasised that India today stands as an economic ray of hope on the global stage. Highlighting India’s commitment, he noted that the country has signed multiple Bilateral Investment Treaties and established several arbitration centres. Following this, Prof. Hindelangs stated that this initiative would strengthen investment flows, investment protection, security resilience, and cross-border cooperation. He emphasised that the programme seeks to build bridges between 1. Doctrine and Practice 2. Europe and South Asia, and 3. Investment Protection and Economic Security.
India has been reforming its arbitration framework and infrastructure over recent years, including updating arbitration laws, signing Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), and promoting international arbitration centres. Such steps are part of India’s broader aim to attract foreign investment while ensuring that legal and regulatory frameworks can address concerns around economic security and investor protection.
Over five days, the Bootcamp dealt with different themes. It began with an introduction to International Investment Law, its historical and economic background, and key concepts like “investor,” “investment,” and “investment contracts.” The second day focused on substantive standards of protection, including fair and equitable treatment, national treatment, MFN, and defences in investment arbitration. The third day was dedicated to dispute settlement, covering ISDS, arbitration practices in Europe, and a mini mock arbitration exercise. On the fourth day, sessions highlighted the impact of economic and national security measures on investment law, with discussions on sanctions, tariffs, and investment screening mechanisms in different regions. The final day centred on careers in international investment law, featuring landmark judgments and career talks by eminent experts.
This structure is quite typical of recent advanced arbitration training programmes. They often include mock arbitration exercises so participants gain hands-on experience. The focus on economic and national security measures reflects how countries are increasingly using investment screening laws and national security exceptions in Bilateral Investment Treaties or Investor–State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms to regulate foreign investments in sensitive sectors. The career talks are valuable: participants benefit from hearing how experts navigated disputes, regulatory changes, and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The valedictory ceremony was graced by the benign presence of Mr. Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, First Secretary (Political), Embassy of India, Sweden, and Dr. Dharmeshkumar Prajapati, Registrar (I/C), Rashtriya Raksha University.
Having diplomatic representatives at such events underscores the importance of legal diplomacy. It also signals government support for international legal education in investment arbitration, especially as India deepens its economic ties with European countries through treaties and investor protection frameworks.
Mr. Rakesh Kumar Tiwari applauded the efforts of RRU and CELIS Institute and assured full support for the next edition. He also emphasised the importance of investment arbitration in the context of the India-Sweden relationship and how the arbitration scenario in India has changed rapidly. Mr. Tiwari also invited RRU to host the next edition in Sweden. Dr. Prajapati also congratulated the team on such a wonderful event.
India–Sweden bilateral ties include investment treaties and collaborative economic partnerships. Over recent years, India has seen significant reforms in its arbitration law (including the Arbitration and Conciliation Act) and efforts to strengthen institutional arbitration, which have encouraged more foreign investor confidence. RRU’s offer to host future editions abroad reflects a growing interest in cross-border academic collaboration and capacity building.
Dr. Prajapati also appreciated the team efforts in making the event successful and emphasised the importance of the relationship between Europe and South Asia.
Building such ties is increasingly important in the global legal landscape. As both Europe and South Asia face similar challenges—like balancing investment openness with economic security, academic and policy exchanges help practitioners and scholars stay current with best practices, case law, and regulatory developments
The Bootcamp invited a pool of distinguished experts, including Justice A.K. Sikri, Justice L. Nageswara Rao, Dr. Argha Kumar Jena, Csaba Rusznak, Prof. Marcin Kalduński, Shravan Yammanur, Patricia Nacimiento, Prof. Giorgio Colombo, Lorena Fatás Pérez, Helene Schramm, Prof. Steffen Hindelang, Ramya Raman, Kilian Wagner, Sai Ramani Garimella, Dr. Naveen Sirohi, John Kabealo, Dr. James N., Sujaya Sanjay, Kailasa S., Veronika Korom, Shreyas Jayasimha, Lucas Bastin KC, Iona Knoll-Tudor, Prof. Giorgio Sacerdoti, Floor Doppen, and Joel Dahlquist.
These experts bring a mix of academic, judicial, and practitioner experience in investment law, dispute resolution, policy, and national security screening. Participants generally benefit from their diverse perspectives—on both European and South Asian legal frameworks—and from their practical insights into recent arbitration cases and regulatory developments.
The participants comprised law students (UG, PG, and Ph.D. scholars), as well as nominated officers from the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Ministry of Power, NABARD, REC Limited, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Hidayatullah National Law University, and other reputed institutions.
This mix of participants suggests the Bootcamp was designed for both academic and policy audiences. Including officers from government and regulatory bodies (like Ministries, NABARD, REC, CEA) helps ensure that practical policy and economic security challenges are discussed, not just theory. That also helps participants to think about how legal rules on investment arbitration apply in real regulatory or financial contexts.
The five days were full of dynamic discussions and insightful deliberations on contemporary challenges in investment law and arbitration. The sessions blended theoretical foundations with practical perspectives, offering participants case-based learning and interactive exercises. The Bootcamp thus created a vibrant learning ecosystem, equipping attendees with both knowledge and skills to address the intersection of investment law, arbitration, and economic security in the modern era.
This combination of theory and practice is key for legal education today, especially in a fast-changing area like investment arbitration, where new rules around investment screening, sanctions, supply chain disruptions, and national security are increasingly reshaping how arbitrators and policymakers think about investor protection. Access to benchmarking European practices helps participants compare how similar challenges are being managed elsewhere and adopt lessons in their own jurisdictions.
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