The International A-list 2026

Foreign lawyers who have distinguished themselves as the top practice area experts for India-related legal matters

View the International A-list

India’s outward economic push is reshaping not only trade and investment flows but also the way legal services are delivered across borders. As Indian conglomerates, financial institutions and high-growth companies expand into new markets, and as foreign investors deepen their roots in India, international counsel have moved from the periphery of transactions and disputes to a more central, strategic role. They are no longer viewed simply as foreign law gatekeepers; instead, they are embedded partners who help design structures, anticipate regulatory friction, and execute complex cross-border matters.

This evolution reflects the changing character of India’s global engagements. Large IPOs and capital markets offerings increasingly require seamless co-ordination between Indian issuers and listing regimes in London, New York, Singapore and cities beyond.

Sophisticated sponsor-driven M&A and private equity deals demand lawyers who can translate India’s regulatory architecture into internationally bankable terms. At the same time, India’s infrastructure, energy and technology companies are driving new patterns of collaboration in the Middle East-India corridor, India-Asia axis, and India-Europe tech and outsourcing markets.

Each of these relies on foreign advisers who are as comfortable with the nuances of Indian law and business culture as they are with their own domestic regimes.

The 2026 International A-List captures this shift. The lawyers profiled here are trusted by Indian clients not only for their legal knowhow, but also for their responsiveness, commercial judgement and cultural fluency. They are the people Indian general counsel and law firm partners call to untangle multi-jurisdictional disputes, navigate unfamiliar regulatory environments, or close high-stakes deals on tight schedules.

Drawing on testimonials from Indian nominators and referees, this year’s list shows how international counsel are helping shape the legal frameworks of India’s global expansion by structuring landmark transactions, managing cross-border risk, and increasingly setting the standards by which India-related work is done worldwide.

Cross-border disputes, investigations

For cross-border disputes and regulatory work, Indian clients look for strategic thinkers who understand both international procedure and Indian realities.

In international arbitration, Abhinav Bhushan, director of Drew & Napier in Singapore, is hailed by Sameer Jain, founder and managing partner of PSL Advocates & Solicitors in New Delhi, as a “standout figure” whose International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Court experience across Europe and Asia, work on transparency and expedited procedures, and “client-focused perspective” make him a key asset in cross-border dispute resolution.

Another Singapore-based disputes specialist is Bhushan’s colleague at Drew & Napier, director Mahesh Rai. He is described by Chaitanya Arora, managing director of business consulting organisation Secretariat in Atlanta, as “one of the finest lawyers in Singapore”, with a very strong and successful India-linked practice. “[Rai] is a stalwart in the legal community in Singapore and has a solid reputation of excellence and integrity, in addition to being an extremely effective counsel,” says Arora.

Several other arbitration and disputes experts are valued for similar reasons. Manish Aggarwal, managing partner of Three Crowns in Dubai, is commended by Kunal Mehta, head of legal at green power supply company Continuum Green Energy in Mumbai, for his extensive experience in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, and for being “very diligent and thorough” in his advice.

Nish Shetty, a partner at Clifford Chance in Singapore, is recognised by Mukesh Chand, senior counsel at Economic Laws Practice in Mumbai, for his outstanding contribution to complex cross-jurisdictional disputes, including arbitrations, and for his leadership in dispute resolution in the region.

Singapore remains a hub for restructuring-driven disputes, and Smitha Menon, a partner at WongPartnership, “spearheads the restructuring and disputes practice with precision”, says Tanuj Sud, a partner at Gravitas Legal in New Delhi. In an oppression and mismanagement matter he worked on with Menon, Sud appreciated a favourable outcome “in a much shorter timeframe than expected”.

In London, Indian clients gravitate to litigators with deep India insight. Ashwath Rau, a senior partner at AZB & Partners in Mumbai, describes White & Case partner Dipen Sabharwal KC as “one of the top options to approach for any India-related commercial cross-border dispute”, citing his “exceptional judgement and ability”.

On the civil fraud and asset recovery side, Ajay Bhargava, a senior partner at Khaitan & Co, and Anand Srivastava, managing partner of Dentons Link Legal, both based in New Delhi, endorse Phillip D’Costa, partner and co-head of the India group at Penningtons Manches Cooper in London. Bhargava hails D’Costa as an “astute tactician”, while Srivastava recognises his fighting spirit, calling him “tenacious in his pursuit of success”.

White-collar crime and regulatory investigations with an India nexus require their own specialists. Anand Mehta, a partner at Khaitan & Co in Mumbai, highlights Mini Menon vandePol, a partner at Baker McKenzie in Hong Kong, for her “mastery in cross-border assignments relating to anti-bribery and white-collar crimes”, listing trade sanctions, ESG and India-related regulatory matters as her other strengths.

In Washington, Sonia Baldia, a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, impresses Sandip Beri, Delhi-based partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, for her “commercially responsive advice” and “thoughtful analysis, negotiation skills and problem solving attitude”.

Indian corporates also value foreign advisers who can marry disputes, regulation and geopolitics. Ahmedabad-based Malav Deliwala, head of legal at Adani Group, offers a hearty endorsement of Ronak Desai, a partner at Paul Hastings in Washington, placing him among a “very small group of international lawyers who combine elite legal capability with genuine, earned fluency in India’s legal, institutional and policy landscape”.

M&A, PE, VC and investment

In cross-border M&A and private equity, Indian nominators emphasise structuring sophistication, sector awareness and the ability to co-ordinate multiple jurisdictions. In New York, Kirkland & Ellis partner Adarsh Varghese is described by Nandish Vyas, senior partner at AZB in Mumbai, as “sharp” and “very effective, with great structuring skills and understanding of negotiation”. Another New York-based partner at Kirkland & Ellis, Srinivas Kaushik, earns high praise from AZB’s Ashwath Rau as “one of the finest commercial lawyers” he has worked with, regularly acting for sponsors such as Apax Partners and Bain Capital on India investments, and uniquely combining legal depth with commercial understanding.

Latham & Watkins draws multiple endorsements. In Singapore, partner Sidharth Bhasin is described by Abhishek Guha, a partner at Trilegal in Mumbai, as “a highly experienced M&A practitioner” with a vast body of deals across Southeast Asia and strong knowledge of Indian regulatory nuances.

He is even referred to as the “uncontested No.1 transactional lawyer for cross-border deals into India” by Khaitan’s Singapore-based strategy director, Jean Muller, who adds that “[Sidharth] has carved out a niche for himself among global investors for large and complex deals across asset classes.” In London, the firm’s M&A counsel, Medha Marathe, is portrayed by Akash Karmakar, a partner at Panag Babu & Sarangi in Mumbai, as “one of the sharpest and most accomplished India-focused M&A lawyers” at any global firm.

In Hong Kong, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett partner Ian Ho receives a detailed endorsement from Shishir Vayttaden, a partner at Khaitan in Mumbai, saying his practice sits “at the intersection of global private equity, cross-border M&A, and strategic investment into and out of India”, demonstrating “strong awareness of the regulatory environment affecting India inbound and outbound transactions”.

Other international lawyers are recognised for leadership in supply corridor-specific deals.

At Baker McKenzie in London, partner Ash Chandhok Tiwari is a “commercially savvy problem solver”, according to Mumbai-based AZB partner Kunal Kumbhat. He observes that in the past year, Tiwari advised Indian IT solutions group UST on acquiring a majority stake in Lamborghini’s iconic Italdesign Giugiaro.

In Italy, Rosario Zacca, a partner at Gianni & Origoni in Milan, is applauded by Mumbai-based JSA partner Sandeep Mehta as “very knowledgeable, capable and competent”.

In Germany, Martin Imhof, a partner at Heuking in Dusseldorf, is recognised as “a certified specialist in commercial and corporate law” with deep experience in the India-Germany corridor by Abhishek Saxena, co-founding partner at Phoenix Legal in Delhi.

In the Japan-India corridor, Rudra Kumar Pandey, a Delhi-based partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co (SAM), calls Ryo Kotoura, a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune in Singapore, “one of the famous lawyers in the Japan-India corridor”, known for his understanding of Indian laws for corporate M&A and dispute resolution. Delhi-based Saurav Kumar, a CMS IndusLaw partner, shares that: “Kotoura sensei is known for his brilliant advocacy and market understanding.”

Yohei Koyama, a partner at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in Tokyo, is recognised by Sanjeev Adlakha, a consultant at S&R Associates, and Vishal Nijhawan, a partner-designate at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, both in Delhi, as a highly regarded lawyer on high-value India-related transactions, with “commercial pragmatism” and an ability to co-ordinate seamlessly with Indian counsel.

CMS IndusLaw’s Saurav Kumar says that Tadashi Yamamoto, a partner at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu in Tokyo, has long worked with Japanese clients investing in India and is “very well known” in the market.

Singapore remains a key base for India-Asia deals. Matt Takeshi Komatsu, managing partner of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in Singapore, is “commercially very strong”, with “a very good sense of deal requirements”, says CMS IndusLaw’s Kumar.

Meraj Noor, a partner at K&L Gates in Singapore, is “very active in the India-Singapore corridor”, handling cross-border transactions with an understanding of both Indian and Singapore law that “gives him the edge”, notes Sumes Dewan, managing partner of Lex Favios in New Delhi.

Sam Snider, a partner at McDermott Will & Shulte in Atlanta, is highlighted by Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) partner Navin Kumar in Delhi as “a great lawyer” for executing complex M&A and resolving difficult commercial impasses with thoughtful solutions.

Akil Hirani, Mumbai-based managing partner at Majmudar & Partners, praises Rishab Kumar, a partner at Cooley in Palo Alto, California, saying he is “great at technology M&A and brings high quality to the table”.

In Seattle, Sidley Austin partner Parthiv Rishi is praised by Kartick Maheshwari, a Mumbai-based partner at Khaitan & Co, for deep M&A experience with global private equity and strategic investor mandates. “[Rishi] really understands both the legal and commercial contours of big cross-border deals” and communicates clearly under pressure, says Maheshwari.

Pallavi Wahi, a partner at Arnold & Porter in Seattle, is described by Bharat Anand, Delhi-based senior partner at Khaitan & Co, as “a force of nature” and “an unparallelled law leader”, playing a “pivotal role at the ultimate decision-making table” on highly sensitive India-related matters.

Specific niches within the deal market also stand out. Ferish Patel, a partner at Paul Hastings in London, is described by Khaitan & Co’s Anand as an “outright leader in the VC and growth equity space and a dominant force in the secondaries space”. Khaitan’s Maheshwari highlights Neeraj Budhwani, a partner at Milbank in Hong Kong, for his keen understanding of India-Asia private equity and M&A, and for being “relationship focused and able to reach across the aisle and get better outcomes for his client”.

Khaitan’s Anand Mehta admires Niket Rele, a partner at Arnold & Porter in Miami, for his “great industry knowledge relating to IT, pharma and biotech”. Saraswan Mukherjee, general manager at information technology company ITC Infotech in Milton Keynes (near London), and Siddharth Shankar, chief operations officer at cross-border business consulting company Komerz in London, both endorse Nikhil Chary, a London-based partner at Addleshaw Goddard as a highly skilled corporate lawyer who is particularly well suited to Indian firms expanding into the UK and Europe.

Mukherjee says that “[Chary] understands the structure and processes that Indian organisations have in place”, which is likely why Shankar feels that he “cannot recommend [Chary] highly enough” after working with him.

Bridging India with Europe and the US, Aarti Joshi, director of legal at global data centre services provider Equinix India, describes Nallini Puri, a partner at Cleary Gottlieb in London, sharing that “Nallini Puri is a standout cross-border transactional lawyer … [and] brings exceptional technical rigour and commercial insight to complex M&A, joint ventures, and franchising deals, with a strong grasp of India’s regulatory and market dynamics.”

New Delhi-based partner Uday Walia, of Touchstone Partners, notes that Piusha Bose, counsel at Freshfields in London, has extensive Indian experience from her years in Mumbai and understands the market’s “limitations and potential”.

Capital markets, banking and finance

In capital markets and finance, foreign counsel who can blend deep product knowledge with a practical understanding of Indian regulation, timelines and investor expectations are highly valued.

On the equity side, about Ankit Chhabra, a partner at Eversheds Sutherland in London, Ayesha Nair, general counsel at IT consulting and services provider Hexaware Technologies in Mumbai, says “Ankit has solidified his reputation as a definitive authority within the capital markets [and] … has been instrumental in steering high-stakes M&A and IPO activity.”

Mumbai-based partner of TT&A, Abhinav Kumar, describes Manoj Bhargava, co-managing partner of Sidley Austin in Singapore, as a “go to” lawyer for IPOs as he is “solution oriented and has a deep understanding of Indian issuers and their requirements”. Vivek Chandy, Bengaluru-based joint managing partner of JSA, highlights London-based Philip Boeckman, a partner at Cravath Swaine & Moore, for his work across IPOs, US listings, high-yield financings and M&A.

Pallavi Puri, a Delhi-based partner of DMD Advocates, describes Aditi Mathur, a partner at Shook Lin & Bok in Singapore, as “a seasoned banking and finance lawyer” sharing that “Aditi is … very solution-oriented, technically sound and commercial-minded”. She says Mathur is an expert in green and sustainable finance, acquisition finance, structured finance, interbank borrowings and external commercial borrowings.

Sayantan Gupta, senior vice president at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group in Mumbai, calls Amit Singh, a partner at Linklaters in Singapore, “an astute lawyer with a sense of solution-oriented mindset” who understands commercial intent well.

In Dubai, Bird & Bird partner Surabhi Singhi Kataria assists Tata Capital on lending transactions, and Rohan Thacker, the company’s Mumbai-based head of corporate legal and cleantech business, notes that she is “very helpful, knowledgeable and able to advise on suitable structuring”.

In Muscat, Debopam Dutta, partner and head of the India desk at Trowers & Hamlins, is praised by both Pratiek Samantara, Mumbai-based senior associate of legal at HDFC Capital Advisors, and Samaresh Maity, vice-president (trade & operations) at the State Bank of India in Dubai, for his guidance, including informal guidance, on matters of trade and finance. Maity shares: “[Dutta’s] practical insights and balanced approach have helped navigate nuanced risk, compliance and documentation issues, enabling informed decision making.”

Several Indian banks and corporates also single out key names as default foreign counsel on capital markets and finance. Shibani Rao, a director and associate general counsel of Deutsche Bank, calls Rahul Guptan, a partner at White & Case in Singapore, an “India specialist, as well as an ECM and DCM [equity and debt capital market) product expert”.

Tata Capital’s Thacker also praises Rajiv Gupta, a partner at Latham & Watkins in Singapore, as “very experienced, hands-on and solution oriented” on a major capital markets transaction.

More broadly, external commercial borrowings and impact-linked projects require dedicated India practice heads. Gurugram-based partner Sidharrth Shankar, of JSA, says that Priya Taneja, a partner at McDermott Will & Shulte in London, acts as “the primary bridge between India, the UK, Europe and US” on external commercial borrowings, restructurings, distressed situations and enforcement, and is deeply involved in sustainable finance and development projects.

Suneeth Katarki, a founding and senior partner of CMS IndusLaw in Bengaluru, points to Rahul Kapoor, a partner at Morgan Lewis in San Francisco, as the firm’s “natural go-to person” for India-related queries, given its India work has grown.

Tech, IP, outsourcing and innovation

India’s central role in global technology and outsourcing means many A-List lawyers sit at the intersection of tech, IP and complex cross-border contracting.

On large-scale technology and sourcing deals, Harshdeep Arora, senior vice president and head of legal at HCL Technologies in Delhi, strongly endorses DLA Piper partner Kit Burden in London as “one of the leading lawyers in the outsourcing and IT sector”, who is trusted on business critical projects across industries and jurisdictions.

Arora also praises Osborne Clarke partner Ulrich Baumer in Cologne as “a leading international technology and outsourcing lawyer” with more than 400 global IT projects, strong India-focused expertise in outsourcing, cloud and digital transformation, and a long record of Indo-German business and academic collaboration.

In US technology work, AZB’s Ashwath Rau highlights Mena Kaplan, a partner at Freshfields in New York, as “arguably the best technology lawyer” he has worked with, noting his role advising Google on its investment in Jio Platforms impressed counterparty Reliance Industries so much that it now regularly works with him.

In IP and innovation, Adheesh Nargolkar, a partner at Khaitan & Co in Mumbai, commends Anand Sharma, a partner and chair at Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner in Washington, for setting “a high standard for quality, professionalism and accountability”, and for strong execution discipline. Ravi Bhola, a Bengaluru-based partner of K&S Partners, adds that the two firms have collaborated for more than 15 years on patent matters for Indian clients, and Sharma has proven “extremely diligent and creative” with deep technical strength in computer software, AI and blockchain patents.

Khaitan’s Kartick Maheshwari also endorses Parthiv Rishi, partner at Sidley Austin in Seattle, for his ability to align sophisticated stakeholders early on big, India-linked cross-border deals.

Corridor builders and trusted advisers

A large share of nominations focus on corridor builders – foreign lawyers who act as trusted bridges between India and specific regions – and on advisers whose long relationships with India have inspired deep trust.

UK-India, Europe-India bridges

Ravi Shah, a Mumbai-based partner at CAM, highlights two London-based professionals. He says Irwin Mitchell partner Akhil Sharma “bridges the legal landscape in the UK-India corridor” through his experience and cultural understanding, while CMS partner Bill Carr brings “extensive cross-border experience” to India-related matters.

Anjan Dasgupta, a Mumbai-based partner at DSK Legal, commends another CMS partner, London-based Babita Ambekar, as a lawyer “consistently doing some great India-related legal work”, and “very knowledgeable and technically sound”.

Dhruv Chhatralia, partner and head of the India group at DWF in London, is recognised by Mumbai-based senior JSA consultant Aashit Shah, and Gautam Bhatikar, Mumbai-based partner of Phoenix Legal. Shah praises Chhatralia for building a “fantastic India practice group” of more than 100 lawyers, and being highly active in the corporate and venture capital space, while Bhatikar observes Chhatralia stands out as “one of the leading lawyers for India work”.

Deutsche Bank’s Shibani Rao additionally says that Harjeet Lall, a partner at Pinsent Masons in London, is “very well connected in the context of the UK-India corridor”.

Other applauded Europe-India bridges include Gowling WLG’s India team. Ragi Singh, a Birmingham partner and head of the firm’s India group, focuses on the automotive and EV sectors and is “adept at devising and implementing corporate strategy” while managing competing stakeholder interests, according to Phoenix Legal’s Abhishek Saxena. Singh’s colleague at the firm, London partner Sunil Kakkad, is widely regarded as “one of the most experienced practitioners in the Anglo-Indian market”, says Mumbai-based TT&A partner Feroz Dubash.

In Zurich, Philippe Reich, a partner at Baker McKenzie and chair of the Swiss-Indian Chamber, serves as the firm’s India partner for global issues and is described by Farida Balsara, senior vice president and group head, and Girish Gadgil, vice president of group legal, both at Mahindra & Mahindra in Mumbai, as “very client and business-focused, easy to work with, extremely accessible and solution-oriented”.

For Cyprus and Mauritius structuring, Motaher Chowdhury, senior legal counsel and head of the India desk at Elias Neocleous in Limassol (Cyprus), is “a leading lawyer for Mauritius” and reliable partner on Mauritius law matters, according to Majmudar & Partners’ Mumbai-based Akil Hirani.

Middle East-India, Asia-India corridors

In Dubai and the broader Middle East, several lawyers are central to India-linked work. Akshay Kishore, director of Duane Morris & Selvam in Singapore, is recognised by Rajesh Sehgal, chief legal officer of power and energy company Adani Power in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, for showing “exceptional legal acumen, professionalism, and unwavering dedication”, and navigating complex legal matters with clarity and precision.

Biswajit Chatterjee, a partner at Hogan Lovells in Dubai, is “one of the most prominent names in mid-market IPO advisory in India”, “highly commercial and practical”, and trusted to deliver high-quality advice on time, says TT&A’s Abhinav Kumar in Mumbai.

Sunita Singh Dalal, a partner at Hourani & Partners in Dubai, is exceptionally responsive, proactive and solution-oriented in fast moving cross-border matters, and has built a strong network across the Middle East and internationally, according to Karan Chandhiok, a Delhi-based partner at Chandhiok & Mahajan.

Anand Singh, legal director of Al Tamimi & Co in Dubai, is “very reliable when it comes for legal advice and strategic input”, highly responsive, and a counsel they “can rely on for any advice”, says Mayur Gupte, company secretary and head of legal and compliance at travel assistance company Europ Assistance India in Mumbai.

In Singapore, Shourya Mandal, co-managing partner of Fox Mandal & Associates in Kolkata, commends two lawyers for their skills. Orrick partner Karthik Kumar is known for “strong connections with the Indian system”, and Priyank Srivastava, director of Duane Morris & Selvam, has a “good understanding of the Indian legal system and connections with Indian lawyers”.

US-India and global bridges

On the US side, Shuva Mandal, chair and managing partner of Fox Mandal & Associates in Mumbai, appreciates FBT Gibbons partner Bobby Majumder in Dallas as a practical lawyer who “understands the Indian landscape and addresses issues in a straightforward manner”.

Sonal Basu, senior vice president and group general counsel of software engineering company Ascendion in Bengaluru, praises Kelley Drye & Warren’s New York-based partner and head of the India practice group, Deepak Nambiar, as a seasoned lawyer who can handle “the most complex matters at ease”, being solution-oriented and balanced on risk mitigation.

Long term allies, emerging leaders

Many nominations run on personal trust and long-term collaboration, rather than a single transaction.

Vivek Bajoria, a Bengaluru-based partner at Khaitan Legal Associates, notes that Mayer Brown partner David Carpenter in New York is “quite experienced and knowledgeable in the Indian market for last 25 years”.

Mysore Prasanna, a Mumbai-based independent corporate counsel and arbitrator, respects Debevoise & Plimpton partner Geoffrey Burgess in London as “a very astute M&A lawyer”, with whom he worked on many India deals during Prasanna’s time at Aditya Birla Group.

Bharucha & Partners associate Aba Siril in Mumbai describes Reed Smith partner Gautam Bhattacharyya in London as a “highly skilled disputes practitioner” with strong technical depth and sound strategic judgement.

Emerging leaders are also strongly supported. Dev Kumar, co-founder of Prosperr.io, a tax management software company in Bengaluru, praises Jon Nair, director of Drew & Napier in Singapore, for “strong professionalism and a practical approach”, clear and timely advice on cross-border structuring and investor documentation, and a collaborative working style.

Abhishek Jain, director of business development and finance at IT firm Innovacx in Noida, describes Ansh Legal managing partner in Abu Dhabi, Nicole Shroff, as a trusted adviser who combines technical excellence with a “genuine client-centric approach”, being highly responsive, consistently accessible, and proactive in anticipating issues.

Others are recognised as de facto strategic advisers. Vinod Joseph, a Mumbai-based partner at Economic Laws Practice, says that Savi Hebbur, a partner at White & Case in London, is “among the top foreign legal experts” for the international aspects of India-related deals.

Rajarshi Chakrabarti, a Mumbai-based senior partner at Kochhar & Co, calls Shishir Mehta, head of the India practice at Ashurst in London, a “truly global lawyer with a deep India connect”, whose insight into complex cross-border deals and business sense “places him head and shoulders above his peers”.