NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 05, 2026 : Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday described the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum as a “modern fabric woven with traditional threads”, emphasising the shared responsibility of judicial institutions to find solutions that serve humanity and support sustainable, inclusive prosperity.
Addressing the second day of the forum hosted by the Supreme Court of India, CJI Kant said the participating judicial leaders were not merely representatives of different jurisdictions but a “fellowship of judicial minds”, united by the belief that enduring principles of justice can respond to the rapidly changing challenges of the modern world.
He said the gathering provides an opportunity to strengthen international legal cooperation, bringing together traditional wisdom and contemporary approaches to law.
NALANDA AS A SYMBOL OF GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE
Drawing on India’s ancient intellectual heritage, CJI Kant highlighted Nalanda University as an early example of international academic exchange.
He recalled how scholars from distant civilisations travelled to Nalanda to debate, exchange ideas and deepen intellectual understanding. He said the university created a space where disagreement and deliberation were welcomed rather than requiring scholars to first accept a common philosophy.
CJI Kant said this spirit offers a meaningful historical precedent for what the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum seeks to achieve today—bringing different legal and judicial traditions together for constructive dialogue.
JUSTICE AS THE FOUNDATION OF ECONOMIC PROGRESS
The CJI also linked the effectiveness of justice-delivery systems with economic development, technology, dispute resolution and sustainable energy.
He argued that these should not be viewed as independent engines of progress, but as areas that ultimately depend on a common foundation: timely and predictable delivery of justice.
Comparing judicial institutions to a load-bearing wall, CJI Kant said courts may not always receive public attention, but their role is fundamental to the stability of a nation’s institutional structure.
He pointed out that uncertainty over how quickly and fairly disputes will be resolved can increase costs for businesses and investors through higher risk premiums, additional security requirements and restrictive contractual conditions.
Conversely, courts capable of delivering decisions swiftly, consistently and predictably can reduce such hidden costs and create greater confidence in the legal environment.
The BRICS judicial gathering thus seeks to strengthen cooperation among participating countries while exploring how justice systems can respond effectively to the challenges of economic growth, technology and sustainable development.
