RSRR-CTIL CALL FOR BLOGS ON “EMERGING TRENDS IN INDIAN APPROACH TO TRADE & INVESTMENT: TREATIES & AGREEMENTS”: SUBMIT NOW!!

ABOUT RGNUL STUDENT RESEARCH REVIEW 

The RGNUL Student Research Review (RSRR) Journal (formerly RGNUL Student Law Review) is a biannual, student run, double-blind peer reviewed journal based at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab. It is a flagship law journal of RGNUL managed by the students of the University. It was founded with the objective of facilitating novel ideas and a research conducive environment. RSRR consistently publishes dedicated Blog Series on niche and contemporary legal issues. RSRR regularly engages the student community, as well as legal practitioners, to contribute to the legal discourse on various topics. The RSRR Blog Series was also named one of the top 25 Constitutional Law Blogs by Feedspot for the last three years. 

ABOUT CENTRE FOR TRADE & INVESTMENT LAW 

Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) is one of the leading think tanks and advisory centres in the field of international trade and investment laws. The Centre advises the Government of India and its agencies on issues related to this field. CTIL has consistently aimed at enhancing India’s participation in international trade and investment negotiations through knowledge creation and marshalling legal resources. Within a short span of time, CTIL has emerged as an anchor for creating ideas and perspectives in the domain of international trade and investment through its research, workshops, capacity-building programmes and trade law clinics. CTIL, along with the Centre for WTO Studies at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), has been selected as the India Chair in Phase 3 of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Chairs Programme (WCP). 

CALL FOR BLOGS 

This blog series aims to foster a discussion on the issues plaguing the trade and investment law sector. The series is an attempt to critically analyse the legal vacuum with respect to significant developments in this sector and suggest viable solutions to bolster the intersection of law with trade and investment. We welcome submissions from legal practitioners, academicians, students, and members of the legal fraternity. 

SUB-THEMES 

These sub themes are merely illustrative. Submissions need not be restricted to this list, as long as they fall within the ambit of the main theme.

1. REGIONAL TRADE POLICY: NEED FOR REVAMP? 

India has been pursuing a progressive and liberal trade policy ever since the early 1990s. Thirty years on, and especially after facing the economic impacts of a global pandemic, it is important to review the existing regional trade policies. This can be done by studying the existing trade agreements, exploring potential new partners for trade, identifying bottlenecks in the current policy, evaluating the impact of trade on economic growth and social welfare, proposing measures for trade facilitation and assessing the effectiveness of the proposed policy changes. 

2. JOINT STATEMENT INITIATIVE: DAWN OF A NEW ERA OF TRADE

The varying economic, socio-political structures and interests of WTO members often make it complicated to arrive at a decision. Certain WTO Members have used plurilateral or Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs) approach to negotiate new areas. The systemic implications of such approaches need to examined carefully. 

2. RUSSIA-UKRAINE CRISIS AND ITS IMPACT ON GLOBAL ECONOMY

In wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, speculations about slowdown of the global economy have also surfaced. The energy shock is anticipated to worsen inflationary pressures and drastically affect purchasing power as per the OECD’s latest Economic Outlook. Emerging Asian economies are thus expected to bolster growth in 2023, with estimates making them accountable for close to three-quarters of global GDP growth next year. In such a scenario, India is faced with the opportunity to capture an even greater share of the global economy. 

2. E- COMMERCE & TRADE 

E-commerce transactions form an integral part of our daily life. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the purchasing habits across the globe, accelerating the uptake of e-commerce by nearly five years. E-commerce is also crucial for reducing the economic slowdown and accelerating the economic recovery. A review of the need for trade regulating agencies to be more inclusive of e-commerce in its agendas, the relation between the two and how to navigate policy loopholes can be undertaken. 

5. NAVIGATING NATIONAL SECURITY AND TRADE LAW 

Major economies all around the world have been marked by the emergence of economic nationalism. The multilateral trading system based on rules is greatly impacted by this development. Several WTO members have recently enacted trade-restrictive measures on the basis of national security. The use of the national security exception, specifically the exclusion under Article XXI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, has become increasingly common as well. An in-depth study can be done on treading the balance between respecting national security and securing free trade. 

6. FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS: NEGOTIATING A BETTER FUTURE? 

Over the last few years, India has enthusiastically participated in many Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with nations in its immediate neighbourhood as well as its global partners. India still continues to maintain a negative Balance of Trade with countries in South East Asia. A critical analysis of India’s FTA policy could analyse the impact of FTAs on specific sectors and industries within India, and compare India’s approach to FTAs with other countries. Additionally, it could examine the role of domestic politics and the government in the negotiation and implementation of FTAs. 

7. FOOD SECURITY AND TRADE LAW: SECURING STABILITY 

Academic literature on the topic of food security and trade law could explore the interface of international agreements with domestic food security measures. It could examine the challenges and opportunities for ensuring food security while also promoting trade, such as how food safety regulations, tariffs and subsidies, and intellectual property rights affect food security and trade. Additionally, it could also analyse the impact of trade agreements on different actors involved in food systems, such as farmers, processors, and consumers. 

8. CHINA & THE GLOBAL ECONOMY: THE PIVOTAL ROLE OF CHINESE TRADE

China’s pre-eminent role in global trade and controversial tactics are often the centre of policy discussions for most other players in global trade. China’s presence in the African continent has become a matter of concern for India and other competitors. Now is a good time to analyse how domestic policy in countries around the world has been shaped by Chinese trade and how international law receives China’s trade tactics. Additionally, it could also study the challenges and opportunities for China and other countries in terms of trade, such as the impact of tariffs, currency manipulation, and intellectual property rights. 

8. CHALLENGES TO SELF-RELIANT TRADE POLICY IN INDIA: MAKE IN INDIA & VOCAL FOR LOCAL 

The COVID-19 pandemic has rekindled policy reforms to pursue self-reliance. India is making significant reforms to its trade policy regime as a part of the Self-Reliant India Mission in order to strengthen the indigenous manufacturing sector. The road to self reliance would involve developing new productive skills, which presents its own set of difficulties that will constitute an appropriate topic for discussion. 

10. POLICY TO COUNTER INDIA’S RISING TRADE DEFICIT 

India’s trade deficit has increased to $23.89 billion as a result of the disparity between its export and import, while the value of its goods has decreased to $34.48 billion. A detailed examination of India’s exported and imported goods can reveal the policy required to overcome the deficit whilst still maintaining bilateral trading ties with other countries. 

11. THE NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATIES FOR INDIA 

For reasons stemming from historical considerations, India has not been a signatory to the ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes) Convention. It is feared that becoming a signatory might undermine the primacy of the Indian legal system due to finality of the decision of an ICSID arbitral tribunal and protection from appeal. In the recent years, India has displayed great interest in entering Bilateral Investment Treaties with other leading economies of the world which would make an interesting subject for legal discourse. 

12. THE IMPACT OF ICSID RULES 2022 ON INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT AND TRADE 

The amended Rules took effect from July 1, 2022 and apply to all applications for arbitration filed after that date. The amended Rules are the product of a consensus-based process that began in November 2016 in which member states provided direct input on a range of topics, such as disclosure requirements for third-party funding; enhanced transparency through the publication of awards; introduction of a new provision on security for costs; and further elaboration on the declaration of impartiality and independence required of arbitrators. The 2022 amendments are a significant topic to study and reflect broad changes for greater transparency, efficiency, and modernization to reflect current ICSID practices.

13. CONCEPTUALIZING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT IN THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT LAW FRAMEWORK 

The desire to encourage sustainable development and the international legal framework governing foreign investments are becoming increasingly at odds. A system of international investment agreements (IIAs) offers extensive safeguards to foreign investors that can be applied against host-State governments through an investor-state dispute resolution procedure (ISDS). However, its inception has received mixed responses from various sections which can be reviewed to explore the fairness of the criticism and support. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

1. All submissions must be in Garamond, font size 12, spacing 1.5. 
2. Referencing: 
   1. Manuscripts must include hyperlinks for relevant legal sources and other information, including any laws, treaties or other legal texts which are mentioned. 
   2. The hyperlinks must only link to legal or reliable/respected news sources. The sources shall only be linked to primary sources. Hyper-linking to secondary sources may lead to re-corrections required from the authors. 
   3. Only relevant legal sources that cannot be accessed online may be cited through endnotes. The endnotes should be in Garamond, font size 10, single-spaced. The authors can use any uniform style of citation. In order to help with the review process please use endnotes only if absolutely unavoidable. 
3. Margins: Left 1 Inch, Right 1 Inch, Top 1 Inch, and Bottom 1 Inch. 
4. Word limit for each post is 1500-1800 words (exclusive of endnotes). Articles exceeding the word limit shall be accepted subject to the discretion of the Board. If accepted, they shall be published in two parts.
5. Authors are required to provide an abstract of 100-150 words along with keywords that represent the essence of the submission. The abstract is to be submitted along with the article itself in the same document as of the blog submission. 
6. The entries should be submitted only in .doc/.docx format. 
7. Entries selected, after the Peer Review process by CTIL, shall be published on the RSRR website. 
8. The manuscripts which are selected by the Board shall be replied to within 21 days of the submission. 
9. E-certificates from RSRR and CTIL will be awarded to the authors of each published blog. CTIL will provide internship opportunities (with INR 10,000/- stipend) to the winning entry. 
10. Co-authorship up to a maximum of two persons is permitted. 
11. The author(s) bear sole responsibility for the accuracy of facts, opinions or views stated in the submitted Manuscript. 
12. Plagiarism in any form is strictly prohibited. RSRR follows the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2018. 
13. Copyright of all blog posts published on the RSRR website shall remain with RGNUL Student Research Review. 
14. All moral rights shall vest with the author(s). 
15. The manuscripts not abiding to the above guidelines are subject to rejection.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

All the submissions must be made through the Google Form. Any submission made via any other mode than the one suggested shall not be considered.

DEADLINE 

The last date for submissions for this Series is 25st March, 2023

CONTACT 

For any queries, email us at submissionsrslr@rgnul.ac.in.

The RSRR website can be accessed here. 

Previous Blog Series can be accessed here. 

***