Merger Pre-approvals in India

The Indian Competition Commission has recently published draft rules on the pre-approval of mergers in India.  The draft rules are intended to go into effect this summer (June/July 2011).  After they go into effect, India will join the growing list of countries (US, EU, Brazil, China, etc.) that will assert jurisdiction over international transactions where there is a nexus to India.  Unlike the 30 day US HSR process for most transactions, the Indian process commits to resolving reviews of applications within 180 days of receiving them, with an outside date of 210 days.  Nothing like efficiency!

The Commission is presently taking comments until March 22, 2011. I have an idea for a comment -- how about reducing the review period to say ... 30 days unless there is any reason to undertake a more extensive investigation.

-bjmq