Month: April 2025

ifsca fund management regulations

Regulatory Updates: IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2025

Insights | April 7, 2025 | Practice Area: ,

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (“IFSCA”) has introduced the IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2025 (“FM Regulations 2025”) to further streamline fund management activities in GIFT-IFSC. The FM Regulations 2025 introduce investor-friendly measures, reduced entry barriers, and increased operational flexibility, while also strengthening investor protection. These regulations aim to foster a business-friendly environment, align with global standards, and reinforce GIFT-IFSC’s position as a global financial hub.

Master Direction on Foreign Investment in India

Updated Master Direction on Foreign Investment in India: Clarifications to the Regulatory Framework

Insights | April 3, 2025 | Practice Area: , ,

The Reserve Bank of India recently issued an updated Master Direction on Foreign Investment in India (“Master Direction”) on January 20, 2025 to clarify various aspects in the regulatory framework for inbound investments. The Master Direction provides significant regulatory clarifications on foreign investments in India, particularly in relation to downstream investments, cross-border share swaps, share issuances to non-resident shareholders pursuant to a scheme of merger or amalgamation, and the issue of equity-based employee benefits to directors and employees resident outside India. This note highlights the key clarifications and changes to the regulatory framework brought about by the Master Direction that are intended to provide greater certainty and enhance the ease of doing business for overseas investors in India.

executive compensation

Evaluating the Regulatory Framework Governing Executive Compensation in Listed Companies

Insights | April 2, 2025 | Practice Area: , ,

Executive compensation in listed Indian companies is determined through a three-stage process involving the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (“NRC”), the Board of Directors, and shareholders. The NRC identifies candidates, formulates a remuneration policy, and submits recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviews and approves these recommendations before presenting them to shareholders for a final vote. While shareholders theoretically have the ultimate authority, ambiguities in India’s regulatory framework may weaken its effectiveness. This note examines key issues in executive compensation governance, analyzing relevant regulations and proposing solutions to enhance the framework.

Singapore International Arbitration Centre

Protective Preliminary Orders under the SIAC Rules 2025: Key Strategic Considerations for India-related Disputes

Insights | April 1, 2025 | Practice Area:

The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) has introduced a critical update to its emergency arbitration mechanism this year. Under the SIAC Rules 2025, parties can now apply to an emergency arbitrator for a provisional ex parte order to prevent a counterparty from frustrating the emergency relief requested. With Indian parties topping the charts in the usage of SIAC emergency arbitration, our note explores the key strategic implications of this development for India-related disputes.