Cairn says engaged with Indian govt on adherence to arbitration award

The three-member tribunal, which comprised a judge appointed by India, last month unanimously overturned a Rs 10,247 crore retrospective tax demand on the British oil and gas company

New Delhi: A month after a tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ordered India to return $1.2 billion to UK’s Cairn Energy Plc, the company on Wednesday said it is engaged with the Indian government on implementation of the ruling.

The three-member tribunal, which comprised a judge appointed by India, last month unanimously overturned a Rs 10,247 crore retrospective tax demand on the British oil and gas company and asked the government to return shares it sold, dividend it seized and tax refunds it stopped to enforce the tax.

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In an update ahead of announcing its preliminary results for 2020, the company said it is taking all necessary steps to protect its rights to the award. “In December, the tribunal established to rule on Cairn’s claim against the Government of India under the UK-India Bilateral Investment Treaty found in Cairn’s favour.

The tribunal ruled unanimously that India had breached its obligations to Cairn under the Treaty and awarded to Cairn damages of $1.2 billion-plus interest and costs, which are now payable,” the company said.