DOMESTIC ARBITRATION versus INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION:

1. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 distinguishes DOMESTIC and INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION. 2. Section 2(7): 'Domestic arbitration' is not separately defined but is implicit — arbitration where the place is in India and all parties are Indian. 3. Section 2(1)(f): 'INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION' means an arbitration relating to disputes arising out of legal relationships (whether contractual or not), considered as commercial under the law in force in India, where AT LEAST ONE of the parties is: 4. (i) an individual who is a NATIONAL OF, or HABITUALLY RESIDENT IN, any country other than India; OR 5. (ii) a BODY CORPORATE which is incorporated in any country other than India; OR 6. (iii) an ASSOCIATION or BODY OF INDIVIDUALS whose central management and control is exercised in any country other than India; OR 7. (iv) the GOVERNMENT OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY. 8. The DISTINCTION is important because some procedural rules differ — e.g., Section 11(6) appointment provisions differ. 9. Hence option B is correct. _Source: Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 (Bare Act) + Mediation Act 2023 — Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, Sections 2(7) and 2(1)(f)_