The Chief Justice of India (CJI), His Excellency Justice B.R. Gavai, paid an official visit to Bhutan last week, marking another milestone in the deep and enduring friendship between Bhutan and India. The visit focused on enhancing judicial collaboration, academic exchange, and cultural understanding between the two close neighbours.
During the visit, CJI Gavai was granted an audience with His Majesty The King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, where discussions centred on avenues for strengthening cooperation between the judiciaries of Bhutan and India. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to uphold the rule of law and to continue fostering mutual respect and learning between their judicial institutions.
CJI Gavai also met with Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, where the two leaders discussed the role of technology and artificial intelligence in the justice system. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for India’s continued support in Bhutan’s development journey, particularly in strengthening legal and institutional capacity.
“I had the pleasure of meeting H.E. Mr. Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, to discuss closer judicial collaboration and the role of technology and AI in our justice system, while also expressing gratitude for India’s support in Bhutan’s development,” Lyonchhen said in a post on X.
As a significant gesture of friendship, the Chief Justice of India announced that two annual Supreme Court Law Clerk positions will be offered to Bhutanese law graduates. This new initiative aims to provide young Bhutanese lawyers with an opportunity to gain experience in India’s Supreme Court and to strengthen academic and professional exchanges between the two judiciaries.
Justice Gavai also engaged with Bhutan’s legal fraternity at the JSW School of Law, where he delivered a lecture on “Courts and Constitutional Governance” as part of the 5th Wisdom for Future Talk Series organised by the JSW Law Research Centre. The talk, held at the Royal Institute of Management in Thimphu, was attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechen Wangchuck and the Chief Justice of Bhutan, Lyonpo Norbu Tshering.
In his address, Justice Gavai emphasised the judiciary’s role in promoting constitutional literacy and fostering public understanding of democratic values. He spoke passionately about the importance of compassion, wisdom, and ethical responsibility in legal education, describing the courts as “not only arbiters of disputes but also guardians of the moral fabric of society.”
Drawing on cultural connections, he cited the Indian film “The Lunchbox” to illustrate the shared emotional and human values that bind the peoples of Bhutan and India.
CJI Gavai also met with the judges of the Supreme Court of Bhutan, where discussions focused on deepening cooperation through judicial exchanges and capacity-building initiatives. In a symbolic act of friendship, the Chief Justice planted a tree on the Supreme Court premises — a gesture representing the growing and enduring partnership between the two nations.
The visit was seen as a reaffirmation of the strong ties of trust, goodwill, and mutual respect that underpin Bhutan–India relations. Through judicial cooperation and academic exchange, both nations continue to nurture the shared values of justice, learning, and cultural harmony.
