India Desk

Our India Desk offers clients a seamless platform for corporate transactions and dispute resolution involving India and the wider Asian region. Working closely with leading law firms in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, we regularly assist Indian and South Asian clients on corporate, dispute resolution and intellectual property matters.

Our lawyers bring valuable on-the-ground experience, having worked in India and Bangladesh, and are proficient in Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi and Tamil. Their deep familiarity with regional business culture and practices enables them to navigate complex issues effectively and deliver smooth, efficient outcomes in both transactional and contentious matters—setting our India practice apart.

Drew & Napier was the first Singapore law firm to receive the India Practice, Asian Law Firm of the Year award at the inaugural Asian Legal Business India Law Awards 2019. This distinction recognises the leading Asia-headquartered law firm with strong India expertise, excluding India-based firms, and underscores our position as a trusted adviser for India-related matters.

Practice Areas 

Dispute Resolution

Our clients maintain significant interests across the Indo-Subcontinent. We act in arbitrations, court proceedings and advisory mandates involving matters ranging from international sanctions to multimillion dollar plant, infrastructure and resource development disputes. We develop strategies that are attuned to the cultural and commercial context of each dispute, delivering solutions aimed at achieving swift, cost-effective and satisfactory outcomes. Our lawyers are highly responsive and able to mobilise on short notice.

Mergers & Acquisitions

We advise clients across a broad range of industries on cross-border transactions involving India and the wider region, including acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures and shareholder arrangements. With lawyers experienced in Indian laws, we provide early-stage structuring advice together with practical insight into the cultural and commercial considerations relevant to transactions in India.

Banking & Finance

Our banking & finance practice supports lenders and borrowers across a wide range of financing and loan transactions including bilateral and syndicated loans, acquisition financing, fund financing, sustainable financing, bond issues and debt restructuring.

Capital Markets

Our full-service capital markets practice covers equity capital markets, debt capital markets and funds markets. We deliver solutions that address the needs of clients, regulators, stakeholders and professional advisers, ensuring compliance and transaction efficiency.

Funds

Leveraging our combined expertise in funds and tax, we assist clients in establishing India-focused investment structures that are efficient, compliant and aligned with their commercial objectives.

Intellectual Property

We support some of the leading domestic and international clients in their intellectual property matters across South Asia, drawing on deep regional experience and sector knowledge.

Transnational and Cross Border Work

Cross-border investments are a core part of our practice. We advise institutional investors, corporate and individual shareholders, and management teams on the full spectrum of regional and international transactions. Beyond documentation, we help clients structure their investments, navigate regulatory and legal complexities, and support them throughout negotiations.

In markets with foreign-ownership restrictions, we develop effective and compliant investment structures, including the use of quasi-equity instruments such as convertible bonds, loans, and loan-stock. Our tax specialists work closely with clients to achieve efficient tax outcomes in both the investment and remittance jurisdictions.

For clients investing in the region through Singapore, we collaborate with investment platforms and other professional partners to provide practical guidance on structuring, tax incentives, and regulatory requirements.
We have extensive resources and a well-established network of associates across South Asia, allowing us to offer informed, on-the-ground insights into regional investment conditions. Our team has advised on numerous South Asia–related transactions and understands the challenges and opportunities unique to the region.

Our India practice includes lawyers with significant experience in India-related arbitration and contentious matters conducted in Singapore, enabling us to support clients in complex, cross-jurisdictional disputes.

International Commercial Arbitration and Multi-Jurisdictional Litigation

Drew & Napier’s dispute resolution practice is a market-leading force, consistently ranked top-tier in Singapore. The firm brings exceptional depth and breadth of experience in international commercial arbitration and complex, multi-jurisdictional litigation, acting in high-stakes disputes where outcomes matter.

What We Have Achieved

Our expertise in cross-border transactions and international arbitrations has earned widespread recognition. India Business Law Journal names Drew & Napier as a key player for India-related work and describes our practice as one of the most active India practices outside the US and UK—the only Singapore firm to feature on this list.

Accolades

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Dispute Resolution (International Firms) - India 2026
Recognised as a Leading Firm for the 10th consecutive year; reaffirming our expertise and long-standing reputation in cross-border dispute resolution involving India.

Cavinder Bull, SC – Ranked for India-related expertise based abroad for the 4th consecutive year.
Clients commend Cavinder as “one of the best lawyers I have worked with globally” lauding his exceptional ability to “grasp and present complex issues with ease.” 

Clients praise Cavinder as “a first-rate litigator. He is always ready with an answer to any question, and his advocacy is only matched by his dedication and the work he puts into each file. He is truly incomparable and stands among the top arbitration and disputes lawyers not only in Singapore but the world.”

Mahesh Rai – Ranked for India-related expertise based abroad for the 4th consecutive year.
Mahesh is described as “very prominent and very aggressive,” “extremely hard-working”, and “sound in his legal advice and representation.” Clients highlight his creativity and dedication: “Mahesh provides great attentiveness, tending to the needs of my case in the best way. He always comes up with outstanding strategies, showing his creativity as a lawyer.”

What Clients Say About the Team
“The team is able to grasp Indian proceedings quickly and navigate them effectively.”

“They have significant knowledge of the Indian market and the practicality of cross-border arbitration and litigation involving India.”

“We appreciate the firm’s understanding of our business and the range of experts we can reach out to across different divisions.”

“An able and seasoned team that was responsive and seamless to work with.”

“The team was outstanding in their presentation to the court, effectively summarising the facts of the matter.”

“A good domestic Singapore firm for litigation with Indian clients.”

“The turnaround time is very quick, with good input.”

“They have fine people and do some great work.”

Corporate/M&A (International Firms) – India 2018
Recognised for 6 consecutive years, our Singapore-based team was commended for its expertise in structuring India-focused funds, handling venture capital investments, and advising on cross-border acquisitions and joint ventures for both Indian and international clients.

Chambers Global
International & Cross-Border Capabilities Firm 2025
Recognised as a Leading Firm for the 7th consecutive year; a reflection of our strong track record in complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.

India: Dispute Resolution Firm 2025
Ranked as a Leading Firm for the 5th consecutive year.

Chambers Global Commentary
“The firm has especially well-developed international capabilities in the contentious arena. The team is very active in international arbitration, cross-border investigations, contentious and transactional IP, and regulatory work across South-East Asia, India, and China. The team often acts for Indian clients on inbound disputes relating to South-East Asian investments.”

One client note: “Their reach throughout Asia is exceptional. They also know their way around other important legal centres like London and New York.”

India Business Law Journal
Named a Regional Firm to Watch in 2025 and recognised as a Regional & Specialist Firm 2024 for 11 consecutive years. These accolades reaffirm the firm’s standing as one of Asia’s most trusted names for India-related legal work.

The International A-List
Mahesh Rai – Recognised Practitioner 2025 (for 3 consecutive years)
Leena Pinsler – Recognised Practitioner 2025
Jon Nair – Recognised Practitioner 2024
Cavinder Bull, SC – Recognised Practitioner 2022

Some of our award-winning matters
2023: Apax Partners’ significant minority stake acquisition in IBS Software from Blackstone
2022: Dream Sports’ lead investment in a cricket NFT platform
2021: Enrica Lexie dispute
2018: Sindicatum Renewable Energy’s triple‑tranche green bond offering
2018: Walmart’s acquisition of Flipkart

Client Testimonials
Chairman Jimmy Yim, SC and Director Foo Yuet Min are highly recommended, while CEO Cavinder Bull, SC is described as “spectacular and in a very elite league.” 

“I would unhesitatingly recommend Cavinder Bull, SC as counsel. His understanding and assessment of strategic, practical and legal issues is one of the best I have seen. Despite his heavy schedule, he has been extremely responsive, and has given significant thought and advice, even when under immense time pressure.” 

“Director Mahesh Rai is commended for his proficiency and deep knowledge of Indian legal matters.”

“Jimmy Yim’s experience, knowledge and strategy are supreme and unparalleled.”

Cavinder Bull, SC is described as “a highly skilled lawyer, with a courteous manner even in the midst of very difficult and antagonistic proceeding”

“Foo Yuet Min and Gerui Lim are very skilled and extremely client‑focused.”

“Extremely industrious and attuned to the practicalities of the Indian market.”

“The team has been exceptional in handling complex, time‑sensitive disputes. They are technically excellent and take time to explain legal complexities clearly.”

“Outstanding and seamless in cross‑border matters and offers exceptional service.”

“Very professional, works under minimal guidance and very smooth on timelines.