SEDCO FOREX INTERNATIONAL DRILLING INC. vs THE OIL & NATURAL GAS CORP. LTD.

The Supreme Court addressed the arbitration dispute between a foreign company and ONGC regarding reimbursement of customs duty under Clause 15.5 of their contract. The Court held that the applicant's invocation of the arbitration clause was valid despite ONGC's claims of estoppel based on the issuance of an essentiality certificate. The Court emphasized that the arbitration process must proceed to resolve the disputes arising from the contract dated 23.8.1988, thereby upholding the applicant's right to seek arbitration.