PASSAGE TO INDIA? ; ;There is no gainsaying the truth that India is very alluring to many of the top law firms in the world (see [2000] Gazette, 2 November, 6). However, the position in India with regard to foreign law firms is not clear to many in UK. ;It is incorrect to state that Ashurst Morris Crisp has a presence in India. Foreign law firms are allowed to open only liaison offices in India. ;Liaison offices are extremely restricted in the scope of their operations and cannot do any business or put in money in excess of the amount that would be essential to maintain the liaison office. ;Ashurst Morris Crisp has a liaison office in India but no presence as a law firm. ;The observation in your report gives an impression that Ashurst Morris Crisp is an exception to the highly restrictive regime in India and has a presence in India. It needs to be clarified that Ashurst Morris Crisp enjoys no privileges in India that sets it apart from other foreign law firms in the country. The office can at best be a liaison office and nothing more. Kennedys also cannot do more than that in the current scenario. ;Morgan Walker is the only UK firm of solicitors that has a written permission from the Reserve Bank of India to have an office and a fully-fledged practice in India. ;Ashok Sancheti, Morgan Walker, London ; ; ; ;