Overview The Supreme Court held that a divorce decree issued by a United States court on the ground of irretrievable breakdown cannot be enforced in India. The petition involved a couple married under the Hindu Marriage Act . The Court clarified that Indian law does not recognise this ground, rendering the foreign decree non‑enforceable. Key Developments Petition filed by the husband seeking recognition of a US divorce decree dated 18 March 2026 . The foreign divorce decree was based solely on the ground of irretrievable breakdown. The Court observed that the ground is not listed under Sections 13(1)(i) to (iv) of the HMA , which enumerates permissible grounds for divorce in India. Consequently, the decree was declared non‑enforceable, and the parties remain married under Indian law. Important Facts Under the HMA , grounds for divorce include cruelty, desertion, conversion, mental disorder, communicable disease, renunciation of religion, and mutual consent. No provision mentions "irretrievable breakdown". The Supreme Court reiterated that for a foreign decree to be recognised, it must be in conformity with Indian substantive law and public policy. UPSC Relevance This judgment is pertinent to GS2: Polity as it deals with the interpretation of personal law statutes and the doctrine of recognition of foreign judgments. Aspirants should note the principle of *lex loci delicti* versus *lex fori* and the importance of public policy in cross‑border family law matters. The case also underscores the limited scope of the International Private Law framework in India. Way Forward Legislators may consider amending the HMA to include "irretrievable breakdown" as a ground, aligning Indian law with evolving global norms. Legal practitioners should advise clients that foreign divorce orders will be enforceable only if they match Indian statutory grounds. Further judicial pronouncements may clarify the extent to which public policy can override foreign judgments in family law.