- Mr. C R Dua, Chairman, Dua Associates

1. What is the biggest opportunity you see for Indo-French business collaboration in the next 5 years? Please let us know how your company/organisation is preparing for it. 

The biggest opportunities for Indo-French business collaboration point to the key growth sectors over the next five years. These are broadly envisaged as -   

•Defense & Aerospace where France is India’s second-largest defense supplier, with new deals (like the Pinaka rocket system and Rafale-M jets) shifting India from buyer to exporter and boosting manufacturing jobs. 

• Energy & Sustainability where French expertise is being integrated into India’s push for sustainable manufacturing and urban infrastructure. 

• In Technology, AI & Digital Transformation, joint  projects in AI, semiconductors, and digital payments are set to accelerate, with both countries collaborating on regulations and data privacy. 

• In terms of Infrastructure & Mobility, French investments in Indian aviation, rail, and urban mobility are seen to be growing 

As a full-service law firm with pan-India presence, we at Dua Associates are gearing up to support businesses by  

• Offering  tailored guidance on cross-border investments, joint ventures, and technology transfers in defense, energy, tech, and infrastructure ;  

•Advising on compliance with local regulations, export controls, and FDI norms in both India and France  

• Helping clients understand and leverage upcoming trade agreements (like the India-EU FTA), and ensure robust protection of intellectual property and sensitive technologies;  

•Advising on data privacy, AI regulations, and digital transaction frameworks as bilateral digital integration deepens ;   

•Developing strategies for cross-border dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation, in line with international best practices ;  

• Monitoring evolving regulatory landscapes in both countries, especially in high-growth sectors and  

 • Advising on compliance with sustainability, ESG, and climate-related regulations as Indo-French projects increasingly focus on green growth and responsible business practices. 

2. In today’s evolving global landscape, how are you building resilience and agility in your leadership strategy? 

In tandem with the rapidly evolving business environment, the Indian legal sector too will witness changes, some of which could even be termed as disruptive. While innovations to enhance efficiency is an ongoing process, I believe this will be accelerated in the coming years with AI and Generative AI set to expand its influence exponentially. With the proliferation of online data and identity theft and frauds, data protection and cybersecurity practice isare going to gain ascendance. 

Alongside, I also foresee a greater emphasis on ethics and professional standards within the legal profession. With increased scrutiny and accountability, there is likely to be a stronger focus on integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct among legal practitioners and firms. This continued emphasis on corporate governance and compliance also presents opportunities for legal firms like Dua Associates to offer advisory or consultancy services to even more businesses than before. 

Additionally, increasing competition within the legal sector presents a challenge for both established firms and new entrants. There will inevitably be pressure to differentiate services, maintain competitive pricing, and attract and retain talented legal professionals.

By focusing on these strategies-technology adoption, agile teams, flexible talent, continuous learning, business alignment, client focus, regulatory adaptability, diversity, and strong leadership-law firms can build the resilience and agility needed to thrive in today’s global landscape. 

3. With sustainability and innovation now essential to business success, could you share some recent initiatives your company has undertaken in these areas? 

We are increasingly recognizing that sustainability and innovation aren't just ethical considerations but essential components of business success. Here are a few initiatives being implemented by the firm –  

Environmental best practices  

- wider adoption of digital document management systems to reduce paper usage  

- use of energy-efficient lighting and equipment 

- Carbon offset programs for business travel 

- prioritizing eco-friendly suppliers 

Social Sustainability & Technology Integration

- diversity, equity and inclusion programs  

- AI-powered legal research tools reducing time spent on document review 

- alternative fee arrangements moving beyond the billable hour 

- cloud-based collaboration platforms enabling seamless teamwork 

-Knowledge management systems preserving institutional expertise 

-Agile working environments promoting collaboration