NEW DELHI, July 13: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday welcomed two young legal professionals from Bhutan who have joined the Supreme Court of India as law clerks under a newly launched judicial exchange initiative between the two neighbouring countries.
The programme has been introduced as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Supreme Court of India and the Supreme Court of Bhutan. The agreement seeks to promote closer judicial collaboration, facilitate professional learning, and encourage the exchange of legal expertise between the two institutions.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Justice Surya Kant said the arrival of the Bhutanese professionals reflects the shared commitment of both countries to deepen judicial cooperation. He extended a warm welcome to the two law clerks and expressed confidence that the exchange programme would benefit both the participants and the institutions involved.
Under the arrangement, the two Bhutanese law clerks will serve at the Supreme Court of India for a period of three months. During their tenure, they will be attached to different benches, allowing them to observe court proceedings, assist in legal research, and gain practical exposure to India’s judicial processes.
The Chief Justice noted that both selected candidates possess strong academic credentials and demonstrated legal aptitude. Their placement in separate courts has been planned to provide broader exposure to different areas of constitutional and judicial work, enabling them to gain diverse professional experience during the programme.
The initiative also ensures equal treatment for the visiting professionals. The Bhutanese law clerks will receive the same honorarium as their Indian counterparts serving in the Supreme Court. In addition, the Supreme Court of India will bear the travel expenses associated with their participation, reflecting the institution’s commitment to making the exchange programme meaningful and accessible.
Judicial officials believe the exchange will help both countries strengthen institutional relationships while encouraging the sharing of legal knowledge, best practices, and judicial perspectives. Such collaborations are expected to contribute to the professional development of young legal practitioners and promote mutual understanding between the two judicial systems.
India and Bhutan have traditionally enjoyed close diplomatic and strategic ties, with cooperation extending across governance, education, culture, and capacity building. The latest judicial initiative adds another dimension to this longstanding partnership by creating opportunities for emerging legal professionals to learn from each other’s legal institutions.
The Supreme Court views the programme as an important step towards expanding international judicial engagement and encouraging cross-border legal cooperation. Officials believe that interactions between young legal professionals will foster lasting professional relationships while contributing to the continued exchange of ideas on constitutional values, judicial administration, and the rule of law.
The three-month attachment is expected to provide the Bhutanese law clerks with firsthand experience of India’s judicial framework while reinforcing the spirit of friendship and cooperation that has long defined relations between India and Bhutan.