International Investment flows have slowed down due to the pandemic. However, India continues to attract record investment flows.
International investment flows are currently not governed by any multilaterally agreed rules. However, a number of IIAs (International Investment Agreements) exist. India annulled all its BIPA (Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement) in 2015 and came out with a new Model BIPA in 2015.
In the absence of any multilateral agreement on investment Indian companies are compelled to face a number of litigation issues before ICSID and other fora.
Augustine Peter served in the India Investment Centre during 1987 to 1989 promoting investment and technology transfer to India
He was Representative of India Investment Centre (Indian Delegate) at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) at its Investment Promotion Service (IPS) Office in Paris promoting investment and technology transfer to developing countries, especially to India during 1989-93.
As Director, Trade Policy Division (TPD) in the Ministry of Commerce he dealt with the WTO Working Group on Trade and Investment during 1998 to 2005. A number of well researched papers were presented by India in the Working Group during this period. He actively participated in the discussions on a multilateral framework on investment.