New Delhi: D.Y. Chandrachud and Chief Justice of Bhutan Lyonpo Chogyal Dago Rigdzin signed four memorandums of understanding to strengthen bilateral relations between the two judiciaries on various fronts during the three-day visit of the Chief Justice of India to the Himalayan kingdom.
The MoUs signed on the premises of the Supreme Court of Bhutan included enhancing judicial cooperation; renewal of MoU between the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal and Bhutan National Legal Institute on collaboration in legal education and capacity building between the two institutions.
Also, a renewal of an MoU between the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, and the JSW School of Law on legal education and research; an MoU between the Indian Council of Arbitration and the Bhutan Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre on collaboration to strengthen and promote arbitration and mediation.
According to an official release issued by Rakesh Sharma, the additional registrar of the Supreme Court of India, during his visit, CJI Chandrachud had an audience with Bhutan king Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. He also had discussions with Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, taking forward the collaborative initiatives discussed during her visit to India in August 2023.
On October 9, the CJI called on Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay to discuss the unique and special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The CJI’s visit is in keeping with the longstanding tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. Bilateral cooperation in the judicial and legal sectors was given fresh impetus pursuant to the visit of Princess Wangchuck to India in August 2023, when she held discussions with the CJI and graced the 31st convocation ceremony of the NLSIU as the chief guest, and interacted with leading Indian law and technology firms.
The CJI’s visit to Bhutan has enabled both sides to lay out a robust framework for enhanced cooperation in the judicial and legal sectors.
