International Legal Studies

Introduction

The Centre for International Legal Studies (CILS) was established in 2016 under the aegis of the Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), with the mandate of contributing to the growth and development of international law through quality research and thoughtful leadership. The Centre has since dedicated itself to research, teaching and training in different areas of public international law. CILS runs research projects, training courses, lectures, seminars, conferences and symposia for academics, students and professionals working in the field of international law. CILS’s work is informed by the collective faith of its members in the normative impact of international law on relevant global actors, and its ability to reconstitute the international order by achieving equities through its doctrines.

Members of CILS, in their individual capacities, contribute to the development of international law through, inter alia, research and writing on a diversity of issues, designing elective courses on niche fields in international law, advising international and national organisations on the interpretation and application of international law, and serving as adjudicators in international disputes.

Recent Publications

Journal Articles

Rahul Mohanty, 'Legal Readiness towards climate finance in India: a critical evaluation', Indian Law Review (August 2025)
Adithya Variath, 'Krishna Rao, India and the Exclusionary Making of Space Law' (August 2025) 114(3) The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs 1-3 (Taylor & Francis).
Pratik Purswani, 'From Trusteeship to Kleptocracy? The Changing Role of the Indian State in Natural Resource (Mis)management, Jindal Global Law Review (June 2025)
Pratik Purswani (co-author), 'Mapping India’s Climate Change Legislative Framework', Climate Law (May 2025)
Pratik Purswani, 'Beyond Bombs and Bullets: Natural Resource Management in the Indo-Naxalite Non-international Armed Conflict', Journal of International Humanitarian Legal Studies (March 2025)
Adithya Variath, ‘A Critical Review of the Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability in Outer Space’, (2025) 5(1) Lex ad Coelum 1-10 (Centre for Aviation and Space Laws, National University of Juridical Sciences).
Aman, ‘Tuhindi Article (The Articles Were Yours), Issue 4-2023, World Comparative Law
Rahul Mohanty, ‘Situating “Deformalization” within the International Court of Justice: Understanding Institutionalised Informality’, The Law and Practice of International Courts and Tribunals
Jasmeet Gulati, ‘'Othering' of Refugees: An Anti-Thesis to Right Against Discrimination,’ Indonesian Journal of International Law, Vol. 21 (No. 4), 2024
Rahul Mohanty, ‘The Tightrope Walked by the ICJ: Provisional Measures in South Africa versus Israel,’ Economic and Political Weekly, Vol 59, Issue 40 (5 October 2024).
Rahul Mohanty, ‘International Climate Finance Negotiations: Successes Disappointments, and Hopes,’ Law School Policy Review, 26 July 2024
S.G Sreejith, ‘Teaching Ancient Indian Jurisprudence in Our Time: A Heterodox Approach to Orthodoxies,’ Journal of Human Values 1-16 (2024)
S.G. Sreejith, ‘Book Review: Sachdeva’s Ark; The Imminent Deluge of Space Crimes,’ Jindal Global Law Review 15 (2024)
Vinitika Vij, ‘Changing Realities: Evolution and Extraterritoriality under Article XX(G) of GATT for Global Environmental Concerns’ (2023) 14(2) Trade, Law and Development 195.

Books

Jasmeet Gulati (co-editor), 'The Global Innovation Blueprint: Creativity, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence & Sustainability for the 21st Century', Centre for Development of Intellectual Property and Research (CDIPR) & Naovina Development of Intellectual Property and Research Foundation, published by Digital Repository for Indian Scholarly Texts & Information (DRISTI, August 2025)
Adithya Variath (co-editor), Artemis Accords and Resource Mining in the Outer Space (Springer Nature, 2025)

Book Chapters

B.S. Chimni, ‘Global Justice’, in A. Anghie, B.S.Chimni, K. Mickelson, M. Fakhri and V. Nesiah ed., Research Handbook on Third World Approaches to International Law (Edward Elgar 2025)
Adithya Variath, “Artemis Accords as Evolutive Law-Making: Lunar Space Mining and the Rise of Space Militarisation”. In Sandeepa Bhat and Adithya Variath (eds.), Artemis Accords and Resource Mining in Outer Space (Springer 2025)
Adithya Variath, “Evaluating Compliance with International Standards and Best Practices at the Mumbai Airport”. In Sandeepa Bhat (ed.), Aerodrome Governance in Asia: Legal and Managerial Perspectives (Springer 2025)
Shantanu Kanade (co-author), ‘India and the WTO : Initiatives taken at a glance’ in Indian Practice of International Law : Global norms and their domestic enforcement (Routledge 2024)
Jasmeet Gulati, ‘Access to the Internet: A Human Right with Reference to the Right to Education,’ in Gagneja S., et al. (eds.) Voices for Justice: Human Rights in Action )New Delhi: Integrity Education India 2024).
Shantanu Kanade, ‘Chicago Convention and Fundamental Principles’ in Dilip Ukey, Sandeepa Bhat and Aditya Variath (eds.), Handbook on International Aviation Law, (Thomson Reuters 2023).

Blogs and Op-Eds

Adithya Variath, “Developing a Sustainable Aviation Transition Strategy in India”, Air and Space Power Centre Blog (28 August 2025).
Shantanu Kanade, 'Australian Federal Court Backs India on Sovereign Immunity: Another Twist in the Devas v. India Saga', ConflictofLaws.Net (3 April 2025).
Adithya Variath, "Is India’s AI ethics and accountability bill enough?”, Deccan Herald (23 December 2025)
Adithya Variath, “AI and Weaponising space: Why national space laws are now an essential’, Deccan Herald (26 November 2025).
Rahul Mohanty, ‘India’s submissions before the ICJ’s climate change advisory opinion.’ Indian Blog of International Law (29 December 2024)

Recent Events

Young Professionals in International Law Lecture Series (Flagship Lecture Series of CILS)

Thirteenth Lecture, ‘The BBNJ Agreement: Science-Based and Equitable Stewardship in the High Seas’, Ms. Gauri Anand, Advisor, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India (25 October 2025).
Twelfth Lecture, 'Caste as a Category in Refugee Law' Dr. Ashna Singh, Assistant Professor and UNHCR Chair of Refugee Law, National Law School of India University, Bangalore (22 April 2025).
Eleventh Lecture, ‘Defending a Host State's Right to Regulate in Investment Arbitration’, Mr. Devon Whittle, Special Counsel (Public International Law), Watson, Farley & Williams, Canberra (27 October 2024).
Tenth Lecture, ITLOS Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and International Law’, Professor Chhaya Bharadwaj and Professor Daniel Stein (11 October 2024).
Ninth Lecture, ‘Contours of International Monetary Law’, Dr. Kanad Bagchi, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Amsterdam (25 April 2024).
Eighth Lecture, ‘Challenges to Judges in International Courts: The Decision of the Annex VII Tribunal in the Dispute Concerning the Detention of Ukrainian Naval Vessels and Servicemen (Ukraine v. The Russian Federation)’, Prof. Shantanu Kanade (17 April 2024).

Special Lectures and Events

Special Guest Lecture on ‘Electronic Documents in International Trade Law: An English Law Perspective’, Prof. (Dr.) Tabetha Kurtz-Shefford (Swansea University), 19 March 2026.
CILS was the Knowledge Partner of the India International Disputes Week organised by Punjab and Haryana High Court, 7- 11 March 2025.
Roundtable Discussion on “Why International Law?”, 23 September 2025.
Workshop on “International Law with Specific Focus on the Law of the Sea”, 6 April 2024.

Participation by CILS Members in Events

Prof. B.S. Chimni delivered the Keynote address on “Global South and International Trade Law' in CWS–WCP Symposium 'India’s Evolving Approach to Linking Trade and Sustainability”, organized by the Centre for WTO Studies, IIFT, New Delhi, 19 December, 2025.
Prof. Gudmundur Eiriksson acted as a Panelist in the Thematic Session “Cross-Border Dialogue: Global Constitutional Courts and Transnational Influence” at International Convention on “The Independence of Judiciary: Comparative Perspectives on Rights, Institutions and Citizens”, 30 November 2025.
Prof. Jasmeet Gulati moderated a panel discussion on “Separation of Powers in Practice: Judicial Autonomy and Executive Overreach” as part of International Convention on the Independence of Judiciary at O.P. Jindal Global University, 29 November 2025.
Adithya Variath, presented a paper titled ‘Protecting Planetary Environment and Extending IHL to Celestial Bodies: Applicability of the Martens Clause and Precautionary Principles in the Militarisation of Outer Space’, One Day Seminar on Protection of Environment During War and Armed Conflict, Indian Society of International Law, New Delhi, 6 November 2025.
Prof. Jasmeet Gulati presented a paper titled ‘International Comparative law: Voicing the Concerns of Global South’ at 2025 Annual Conference of American Society of Comparative Law on The Paris Congress at 125: Comparative Law’s Entanglement with Power from Paris to Today, at McGill University, Faculty of Law, Montreal (Quebec), 17 October 2025.
Prof. Jasmeet Gulati participated in a Panel on Constitutional Futures in a Globalized World of Law and Justice as part of National Conference on “75 Years of Indian Constitution: Reflections, Reforms and Road Ahead”, organized by Manohar Parrikar School of Law, Governance and Public Policy, Goa University in collaboration with Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa on 10 October 2025.
Prof. Jasmeet Gulati chaired a session on Justice and Judicial Reforms at a National Conference on “75 Years of Indian Constitution: Reflections, Reforms and Road Ahead”, organized by Manohar Parrikar School of Law, Governance and Public Policy, Goa University in collaboration with Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa on 9 October 2025.
Prof. B.S. Chimni delivered the Keynote Address at a Roundtable Discussion on “Why International Law” organised by Centre for International Legal Studies, JGLS (23 September 2025).
Prof. Shantanu Kanade acted as moderator at a Roundtable Discussion on “Why International Law” organised by Centre for International Legal Studies, JGLS (23 September 2025).
Prof. Gudmundur Eiriksson acted as a panelist at a Roundtable Discussion on “Why International Law” organised by Centre for International Legal Studies, JGLS (23 September 2025) .
Prof. Rahul Mohanty acted as a panelist at a Roundtable Discussion on “Why International Law” organised by Centre for International Legal Studies, JGLS (23 September 2025).
Prof. Adithya Variath acted as a panelist at a Roundtable Discussion on “Why International Law” organised by Centre for International Legal Studies, JGLS (23 September 2025).
Prof. Adithya Variath delivered a lecture on “Sustainability of Space Activities”, Certificate Course on Space Law, Indian Society of International Law, 20 September 2025.
Prof. Gudmundur Eiriksson acted as moderator for the Inaugural National Maritime Foundation - Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Public International Maritime Law Seminar, “Collaborative Solutions to Legal Challenges of Public International Maritime Law in the Indo-Pacific”, New Delhi (18- 19 September 2025) .
Prof. Jasmeet Gulati chaired a session on “Human Rights and Global Justice” at a conference on 'Global Convergence on Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Law and Contemporary Challenges' organised by Faculty of Law University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (13 September 2025) .
Prof. Jasmeet Gulati delivered a lecture on “Settlement of Disputes and International Tribunal for Law of the Sea” as part of Certificate Course on the Law of the Sea organised by Centre of Advanced Study in International Humanitarian Law (CASH), Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, Punjab (6 September 2025).
Prof. Gudmundur Eiriksson delivered a lecture on “The ITLOS Advisory Opinion” in a webinar on Reviewing the Climate Change Advisory Opinions (4 September 2025).
Prof. Jasmeet Gulati acted as discussant for Prof. Vesselin Popovski’s paper titled ‘The Second Charter: Revising the United Nations’ at the First Faculty Research Seminar (Fall 2025) organised by JGLS Research Deans’ Office (26 August 2025).
Prof. Shantanu Kanade acted as discussant for Prof. Vesselin Popovski’s paper titled ‘The Second Charter: Revising the United Nations’ at the First Faculty Research Seminar (Fall 2025) organised by Research Deans’ Office JGLS, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat (26 August 2025) .
Prof. Jasmeet Gulati delivered a special Lecture on ‘International Law’ as part of Orientation Program organized by University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), Panjab University, Chandigarh (23 July 2025) .
Prof. Shantanu Kanade presented a paper titled 'Counterclaims in Investment Treaty Arbitration: A Balancing Act' at the Second JGLS Faculty Research Conclave (20-24 July 2025).
Prof. Shantanu Kanade presented a paper titled 'Carving-Out space in investment treaties for governance of critical minerals' at the 4th Durham Energy Disputes Conference organised by Durham Law School (11-12 July 2025).
Prof. Jasmeet Gulati delivered a lecture titled ‘Artificial Intelligence: Ethics in Research and Writing’ to Naveen Jindal Young Global Fellows, at O.P. Jindal Global University (1 July 2025).
Prof. Adithya Variath delivered a guest Lecture on “Dispute Settlement in International Economic Law with Special Reference to WTO and IMF” at Centre for International Law and Relations, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, New Delhi, 13 November 2025.
Prof. Shantanu Kanade delivered a lecture on 'The Role of WTO: Origins, Framework and Diplomatic Considerations' in the Online Bootcamp on International Trade and Diplomacy by the Indian Forum for Public Diplomacy (29 May 2025).

Projects

Ongoing Projects

‘White Paper on Establishment of a Permanent Court of Investment Arbitration’- developing a white paper exploring the feasibility of setting up of a permanent court for investor-State disputes.

Completed Projects

Project on International Courts and Tribunals commenced in June 2015 and completed in 2016 with the publication of a revised edition of Prof. Gudmundur Eiriksson’s book titled ‘The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea’ (Martinus Nijhoff).
Project on Rule of Law Guide for Politicians, translation in Hindi, by Gudmundur Eiriksson and Rashmi Raman, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at Lund University and the Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law (2018).
“Mapping Opinio Juris” Report and White Paper (Research output realized after a Discussion Series in collaboration with the ACUNS Conference and the JGU Centre for UN Studies in 2017).