The Supreme Court of India hosted the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum that opened in New Delhi on September 4, 2026, drawing chief justices, presidents of supreme courts and senior judicial officials from member states and partner countries. CJI Surya Kant used the occasion to stress the judiciary’s contribution to coordinated bilateral cooperation that strengthens ties across the grouping. A Supreme Court statement said the CJI held bilateral meetings that day with judicial leaders from Russia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, the UAE, Belarus, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Iran and Uzbekistan.
Discussions during those meetings focused on potential memorandums of understanding for judicial cooperation, according to The Hindu. The participants examined the role of mediation and arbitration in settling business and corporate disputes while exploring ways to foster an environment that supports commercial activity between nations. CJI Surya Kant proposed creation of a common platform dedicated to arbitration and mediation to address such commercial conflicts.
The bilateral talks offered direct interaction on shared judicial concerns and are expected to deepen engagement among the participating courts, the Supreme Court statement added. Exchanges also covered adoption of best legal practices, bilateral conferences on contemporary legal questions and integration of technology including artificial intelligence to raise judicial efficiency. Leaders who met the CJI included Igor Krasnov of the Russian Federation, Zhang Jun of China and Sunarto of Indonesia.
On the second day of the forum CJI Surya Kant described the gathering as a modern fabric woven with traditional threads in remarks reported by Business Standard. He urged the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum to evolve into a living Nalanda University that welcomes debate among different legal systems without demanding uniformity of tradition. The CJI told delegates that timely and predictable delivery of justice underpins economic progress, technological advance, dispute resolution and sustainable energy initiatives across the bloc.
The three-day program addresses four main themes ranging from mediation in international commercial disputes to cross-border enforcement of arbitral awards, the Supreme Court said. Further sessions examine artificial intelligence applications in the judiciary and the part judicial leadership plays in sustainable development. Judicial representatives from Brazil, Ethiopia, Iran and additional partner countries including Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are sharing perspectives throughout the event.
Reports from Telegraph India indicate the forum builds on earlier BRICS judicial engagements by promoting exchange of views on mutual interests that extend beyond immediate dispute resolution. The Supreme Court noted that such interactions help harmonize approaches to legal challenges that affect cross-border commerce and investment confidence. Participants are also reviewing how expeditious judicial processes can reinforce people-to-people connections among the nations involved.
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