Panel Discussion | 16th Government Law College International Law Summit 2026
Law School Correspondent
5 March 2026 11:07 AM IST
The Students for the Promotion of International Law (SPIL), Mumbai, at the Government Law College, Mumbai has announced a Panel Discussion titled “Thirty Years of the WTO: Reassessing Geopolitical Alignment, Market Access and a Rule-Based System in a Fragmented World” as part of the 16th GLC International Law Summit 2026 sponsored by Rungta Steel, scheduled to be held on 6th March 2026 at the Government Law College, Mumbai.
About Government Law College, Mumbai
Government Law College, Mumbai, was established in 1855. It stands as Asia's oldest and one of India's most distinguished institutions for legal education. For generations, it has served not only as a centre for legal academia but also as a platform for ideas, debate, and principled advocacy. The corridors of the College stand as a testament to decades of intellectual exchange, deliberation, and dedication to the study of law. While nurturing exceptional minds, Government Law College, Mumbai, has consistently upheld its eminence in the legal sphere and across diverse domains of public, political, and professional life.
About SPIL, Mumbai
Students for the Promotion of International Law (SPIL), Mumbai, founded in 2009 by the students of Government Law College, Mumbai, is a student-led organisation dedicated to advancing the study and discourse of International Law in an increasingly interconnected world. Established with the aim of bridging the gap between theoretical legal education and practical engagement, SPIL fosters academic excellence, critical inquiry, and global collaboration among students and legal professionals.
About the 16th Government Law College International Law Summit
SPIL, Mumbai is pleased to formally present the 16th Government Law College International Law Summit, 2026, which is being held on the 6th and 7th of March 2026. The Summit stands as a distinguished academic forum, engaging with the most pressing issues in international law through thoughtful discussions and innovative competitions.
The Summit brings together eminent scholars, practitioners, and jurists who offer depth and perspective through interactive lectures, panel discussions, and competition adjudication. Such presence provides attendees the privilege of engaging directly with leading voices in the field and fostering a nuanced understanding of contemporary developments in international law.
Panel Discussion
On March 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM, the 16th GLC International Law Summit at Government Law College, Mumbai, will be featuring an important panel discussion on "Thirty Years of the WTO: Reasoning Geopolitical Alignment, Market Access, and Rule-Based Systems in a Fragmented World." Today, after thirty years, the WTO is facing a turning point, transitioning from an era of open globalisation to a more divided world where geopolitics plays a vital role in increasingly shaping trade. The WTO's original goal of promoting peace through trade is challenged by the current trends such as "friend-shoring" and national security concerns that impact market access. For India, this has meant growing from a careful founding member to a strong voice for the Global South, balancing global commitments with domestic needs such as food security and its role as the "pharmacy of the world." With major economies adopting aggressive industrial policies and the WTO's key dispute settlement system still stalled, this panel will discuss whether a rules-based system can survive, or if fragmentation is what has now become the global reality. Join us as we explore India's strategy and the WTO's future in the lead-up to the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.
Speakers.
1. Prof. Dr Sheela Raj
Dr. Sheela Raj completed her LL.B. from Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University and obtained her LL.M. and Ph.D. from National Law School of India University. She commenced her academic career in 2002 as a Research Assistant at The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, where she later served as a Lecturer from 2004 onwards. In 2008, she joined Hidayatullah National Law University as an Associate Professor. Since 2013, she has been associated with NLU Odisha. Prof. Raj has authored four books and has contributed extensively to national and international journals, as well as edited volumes.
2. Dr. Govindraj G. Hedge
Dr. Govindraj Hegde serves as an Associate Professor of Law at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore. Currently, he is the Chairperson of the Ministry of Commerce & Industries (Government of India, New Delhi), as well as Chair on International Trade Laws at NLSIU. He engages in teaching two compulsory courses - international trade law and conflict of laws (private international Law) to the undergraduate students, and offers a regular course - the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to the post- graduate law students.
3. Dr. James J. Nedumpara
Dr. James Nedumpara is Professor and Head of the Centre for International Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). In this capacity, he advises the Government of India on various aspects relating to international trade and investment law. He was also part of the Indian delegation that appeared in the recent proceedings on India- Agricultural Products (Avian Influenza dispute).
4. Ms Annuradha RV
Ms. R.V. Anuradha is a Partner at Clarus Law Associates, New Delhi and heads her firm's practice in International Trade and Investment Law and Policy. She has been recognized by Chambers as well as Partners as a leading practitioner in her field and is a member of the Asia WTO Research Network and the Society for International Economic Law. Currently, she is also a member of the Trade Policy Committee of the Confederation of Indian Industries.
5. Mr Sanjay Notani
Mr. Sanjay Notani is a Partner at ELP and co-heads the International Trade & Customs practice. His advisory work includes appellate litigation to obtain trade remedial reliefs from unfairly traded imports in anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duty proceedings (Trade Remedial Actions) about inbound and outbound levy of duties, and disputes arising from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)/Regional Trade Agreements (RTA's), including disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO) representing India.
Moderator -
Dr Divya Mittal
Dr. Mittal completed her BA in Sociology from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, followed by an LLB and LL.M. with specialization in International Law from ILS Law College, Pune. She earned her Ph.D. in Law from Savitribai Phule Pune University, where her doctoral research critically examined the National Security Exception under the World Trade Organization (WTO)and its implications for International Trade Law and Public International Law. Dr. Mittal has nearly a decade of teaching experience, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in subjects including Public International Law, International Economic Law, Constitutional Law, Human Rights, and Moot Court Advocacy.
Important Details
§ Date: 6th March, 2026
§ Time for Panel Discussion: 03:00 PM onwards
§ Venue: Auditorium - Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai
§ Topic of Discussion: Thirty Years of the WTO: Reassessing Geopolitical Alignment, Market Access and a Rule-Based System in a Fragmented World.
Eligibility
The Summit is open to all students, lawyers, academicians, professionals from all backgrounds.
Important Links
§ Link to register: https://www.spilmumbai.org/summit/2026/register
§ To know more about the Summit: https://www.spilmumbai.org/summit
Note: An E-Certificate of Attendance shall be provided to all the attendees.
Contact
§ Email: spil.glc@gmail.com / summit@spilmumbai.com
§ Contacts: Anushka More - +91 8169544529
Lavanya Hajare - +91 8767152544