Live Events

as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our

(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel

New Delhi: India is caught up in hectic legal and diplomatic efforts spanning Canada, the UK and France as fallout of the unfavourable Devas-Antrix ruling by the Netherlands Supreme Court in the 2005-era satellite (S-band) dispute continues to unfold, ET has learnt.It is gathered that high-level deliberations have been held across ministries to strengthen India's legal and diplomatic strategy to counter Devas Multimedia America Inc in multiple courts and to safeguard Indian government and PSU assets from potential seizure.Reason being the March 6 ruling of the Netherlands Supreme Court after which on March 11, the Quebec Superior Court in Canada allowed Devas to seek enforcement of $37.5 million fund belonging to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), parked with the International Air Transport Association. The court held that AAI is the "alter ego" of the defendant (India), hence its funds can be targeted by Devas for "seizure before judgement", as per the official English translation of court, accessed by ET.The reinstatement of seizure of AAI funds has prompted India to file an emergency application, seeking a stay on the execution of the order, it is gathered. The matter is expected to be heard in early April.The Indian government is also focused on proceedings in the UK Court of Appeal (Civil Division), where hearings are underway. The case will determine whether India can be subjected to "enforcement in England of arbitral awards issued under the India-Mauritius investment treaty" "after India cancelled a 2011 satellite-spectrum contract with Devas", the UK court website recorded.This is critical, especially after the High Court of Justice ruled in India's favour in 2025, upholding its claim of " sovereign immunity ". But Devas has challenged this, arguing that India waived this immunity by agreeing to arbitration under the India-Mauritius treaty. The outcome of the UK appeal is expected to have significant implications for all other litigation involving Indian assets globally.A third parallel proceeding is also underway in France, where the Paris Court of Appeal is expected to rule by mid-May on the enforcement of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) award. India has stepped up efforts to lift a 2021 lien imposed at the instance of Devas on Indian government-owned property - an apartment in Paris' 16th Arrondissement used for diplomatic purposes.Courts in the UK and France have so far been favourable to India, especially on sovereign immunity.In contrast, developments in the US could pose fresh challenges. The Supreme Court of the US ruled in June 2025 in favour of Devas shareholders, removing the protective shield previously enjoyed by Antrix, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation. This could enable Devas to identify and target Indian commercial assets for enforcement.Armed with the March 6 ruling from The Hague, which upheld enforcement of a $111 million ICC award, Devas is learnt to have intensified its legal efforts across multiple jurisdictions. In response, India is recalibrating its defence strategy.