Director Patel delivered a lecture on Treaty Law and Practice of India and International Law at the Gujarat Legislature Secretariat on Monday, 9 February 2009.Addressing the judicial officers from 25 countries who were visiting Gujarat, as part of training under the Colombo Action Plan, Director Patel underlined the importance of a comprehensive regulatory practice, along the lines of United States of America for the negotiation, conclusion, signature and ratification of treaties. He also emphasised the need to have a comprehensive research work on the subject covering all areas of national importance. Such a comprehensive work will enable the policy-makers (legislature), executive wings and the judiciary to take necessary initiatives, interpret treaty documents in a more effective and efficient manner. Not only the Union of India, but the unitary states of India too are engaging in an intensive and extensive manner into legal obligations with foreign state and non-state entities through various legal instruments. Despite India having signed hundreds of treaties, lack of such a comprehensive work, sixty years after its independence, is deplorable and must be rectified.

Director Patel talked of initiating a comprehensive project undertaking research and analysis of treaty law and practice of the Indian state for the legal, policy and judicial benefits of the entire country. He encouraged the participants to undertake studies of international law and analyse concerning state practice on the subject.