The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday made it easier for plaintiffs to sue foreign countries in U.S. courts, rejecting an appellate ruling that the countries must have "minimum contacts" with the United States before a federal court can hear the case.

The justices unanimously held that plaintiffs need only show that a legal exception to the 1976 Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act applies to be able to bring a lawsuit against another government in a U.S. court. The ruling is a victory for U.S. investors seeking to enforce a $1.3 billion judgment against an Indian state-owned entity over an Indian satellite deal gone awry.

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