NEW DELHI: After the tussle between local and foreign auditors and lawyers, it's now the turn of architects. The Council of Architecture (CoA), the regulatory body for the profession, has stepped up its fight against foreign architects practicing in India — attracting severe criticism from several countries, including the US.

Although foreign architects are not allowed to practice in India, several entities were rendering services in the country, either directly or through tie-ups with local players. A 1972 law explicitly prohibits any foreign firm architect and the government, despite its keenness, has refused to open up the sector despite negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

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CoA president Uday C Gadkari could not be reached for comment but council member Inderjit Singh Bakshi told TOI that the regulatory entity had taken up the issue with the government as "only those registered with the council can practice in India". Apart from those with degrees from recognized Indian architecture schools, the Architect's Act also recognizes qualifications from certain countries on a "reciprocal basis".

Government officials agreed with the CoA stance and said the law clearly bars foreign architects from practicing in India. "It is not part of our commitment to WTO and can only be done if there is qualification equivalence or mutual recognition," an official said. This means that architects from a foreign country can be allowed to practice in India on a reciprocal basis if the professional qualifications are accepted or architects from either country clear the stipulated professional tests. For this to happen, CoA and its foreign counterpart have to come to an agreement.