Cross-border divorces rarely end with a single court order. This article explains why the same marriage can appear “divorced” in one country and unresolved in another, and how Indian courts approach foreign divorce proceedings, anti-suit injunctions, and jurisdictional conflicts. Through recent High Court and Supreme Court decisions, it highlights why timing, context, and procedural posture matter as much as substantive law.

Many NRIs assume a divorce obtained abroad is automatically valid in India. However, Indian courts apply strict tests based on jurisdiction, applicable grounds, and due process. This article explains how foreign divorce decrees are treated under Indian law, what challenges are commonly faced, and how Indian citizens abroad can protect their legal status and rights under domestic matrimonial statutes.