[CALS Webinar] International Law in Asia Speaker Series: International Law and IP Practices in South Asia

The Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS) at the National University of Singapore successfully hosted a session of the International Law in Asia Speaker Series on 17 November 2025. This webinar, titled “International Law and IP Practices in South Asia,” brought together distinguished scholars and practitioners in the field of intellectual property law to discuss the evolving IP landscape across South Asia. The discussion was anchored on insights from the forthcoming book Intellectual Property Debates in South Asia: Law, Development and Practice (Hart Publishing, 2025), which examines regional developments and comparative legal approaches in countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

The panel featured three prominent speakers: Professor Arul George Scaria from the National Law School of India University, Professor Naazima Kamardeen from the University of Colombo, and Dr. Pratyush Nath Upreti from Queen’s University Belfast. The session was moderated by Lecturer Benjamin Wong from NUS Law. Together, the speakers explored the trajectory of international intellectual property norms in Asia, highlighting how the region has shifted from adopting IP standards under the WTO TRIPS Agreement to actively contributing to norm development through regional and bilateral legal frameworks.

During the webinar, the speakers discussed the diverse historical and socio-economic contexts that have shaped national IP regimes across South Asia. They emphasised how these countries have had to balance international obligations with domestic priorities, particularly in areas such as traditional knowledge, access to medicine, technological advancement, and economic development. The speakers also explained how South Asia’s experience, though less studied compared to Southeast and East Asia, offers valuable insights into the complexities of legal adaptation, local innovation ecosystems, and the broader global IP governance structure.

The event attracted strong participation from academics, practitioners, policymakers, and students who engaged actively during the question-and-answer segment. Attendees raised thoughtful questions on issues such as IP enforcement challenges, the evolving role of South Asian countries in global norm-shaping, and the potential for regional cooperation in developing more inclusive IP frameworks. The discussion reflected a high level of interest in understanding how legal reform and policy choices in South Asia contribute to broader developments in international law.

In conclusion, the session provided a rich and nuanced examination of intellectual property practices in South Asia and highlighted the region’s growing influence in international IP discourse. CALS extends its appreciation to the speakers, moderator, and participants for contributing to an insightful and engaging discussion. This event continues the Centre’s efforts to promote deeper understanding of Asian legal perspectives within the global legal community.