In a step reflecting the expanding contours of cross-border judicial diplomacy, the Supreme Court of India and the Supreme Court of Nepal have formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance cooperation in the field of law and justice. The MoU was executed on April 7, 2025, in the esteemed presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Chief Justice of Nepal, and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Chief Justice of India.
With this bilateral engagement, the apex courts of both nations have agreed to deepen institutional interactions across various judicial tiers. “The MoU aims at developing, promoting and strengthening cooperation between the judiciaries of the two countries,” read the official press statement released by the Supreme Court of India.
This initiative, propelled by the “cordial and friendly relations existing between the two countries and their people,” seeks to establish regular dialogues and judicial collaboration mechanisms, ranging from structured judge-to-judge interactions and study visits to short- and long-term capacity-building programmes. Importantly, the understanding paves the way for “mutual exchange of information on latest developments in the field of law and justice.”
A distinct emphasis has been placed on digital transformation and technological integration within the judiciary. Recognising the judiciary’s evolving reliance on tech-driven solutions for enhancing access to justice, the MoU expressly provides for “sharing information pertaining to technology employed in their respective Courts and other institutions.”
In order to give institutional continuity to the partnership, a Joint Working Group, comprising officials from both judicial hierarchies, will be established to articulate strategies, operational modalities, and forward-looking action plans aimed at sustained cooperation.
India’s apex court has previously formalised similar bilateral arrangements with counterparts and governments across jurisdictions, including the Supreme Court of Israel, Republic of Singapore, Bangladesh, Bhutan, as well as with the governments of Tunisia, Zambia, Morocco, and Maldives. The latest partnership with Nepal adds a vital neighbour to this growing matrix of international judicial cooperation.
Picture Source :
