Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has called for “Nyaya-nomics”, or the economics of justice, arguing that consistent adjudication and trusted institutions are essential to creating a level playing field and sustaining economic growth.
Addressing the 11th BRICS+ Legal Forum in New Delhi on Saturday, the CJI said economic growth cannot be sustained merely through geography or natural resources. He stressed that strong institutions, predictable legal processes and enforceable commitments are central to building resilient economies.
The forum was held around the theme “Rule of Law Frameworks and Institutional Capacity Building for Economic Resilience, Innovation and Sustainability.”
Justice Surya Kant described “Nyaya-nomics” as the economics of justice, linking the functioning of courts directly with economic activity.
He said consistent adjudication and trust in legal processes can reduce the transaction costs associated with agreements and disputes. According to the CJI, greater predictability in the justice system helps create a level playing field for market participants and can support economic growth.
The concept places the judiciary within the broader economic architecture rather than viewing courts only as institutions that resolve disputes after they arise.
Institutions Drive Growth
The CJI said the economic progress of BRICS+ countries cannot be attributed solely to their natural resources or geographical advantages.
He argued that development is closely linked to the strength of institutions and the enforceability of commitments. Trust in public institutions, he suggested, gives businesses and individuals greater confidence when making long-term economic decisions.
Justice Surya Kant described institutions as the “architecture” of growth, rather than structures created around an economy after growth has already begun.
Judiciary Has Key Role
The Chief Justice placed the judiciary at the centre of institutional capacity, saying courts play an important role in maintaining predictability and stability in the economic environment.
Consistent interpretation of laws can reduce uncertainty for businesses involved in contracts, investments and commercial disputes. Efficient dispute resolution can also help prevent capital and resources from remaining tied up in prolonged litigation.
The remarks come as BRICS+ countries seek closer cooperation across legal and economic systems.
Nyaya Setu Proposal
Justice Surya Kant also introduced the idea of “Nyaya Setu”, or a bridge of justice, to strengthen cooperation among the legal systems represented at the forum.
He proposed the creation of a BRICS+ Judicial Fellowship, which would allow career judges from participating countries to gain exposure to each other's courts and legal systems.
He also suggested establishing a shared jurisprudence repository containing judgments from BRICS+ jurisdictions. Such a platform could allow courts dealing with comparable legal questions to access relevant decisions from other countries.
Shared Legal Learning
The proposed initiatives are aimed at strengthening understanding among different legal traditions.
Justice Surya Kant said a shared repository could build on India's experience with digitised case law and make important judgments more accessible across jurisdictions. A decision delivered in one country could then provide useful legal material to courts elsewhere facing similar questions.
Such cooperation could become increasingly relevant as cross-border investment, trade and commercial relationships expand among BRICS+ economies.
Focus on Economic Resilience
The forum's broader theme connected the rule of law with economic resilience, innovation and sustainability.
The CJI's remarks emphasised that investors and businesses require confidence that contractual commitments will be recognised and disputes will be resolved through predictable legal processes.
Efficient courts, therefore, can contribute to reducing uncertainty while supporting an environment in which businesses can plan investments and manage commercial risks.
BRICS+ Legal Cooperation
The call for greater judicial cooperation comes as India holds the 2026 BRICS chairship. The BRICS+ Legal Forum provides a platform for legal professionals and institutions from participating countries to discuss common challenges arising from closer economic ties.
The Bar Association of India has also proposed stronger mechanisms for dispute resolution among BRICS countries, including an arbitration centre in New Delhi.
The emphasis on legal cooperation reflects the growing importance of reliable dispute-resolution systems as economic relationships cross national borders.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The proposals for a BRICS+ Judicial Fellowship and a shared jurisprudence repository could form part of future discussions among participating legal institutions.
For India, the CJI's “Nyaya-nomics” concept highlights the economic significance of judicial consistency, enforceability and institutional trust. The broader message from the forum was that sustainable growth requires not only capital and resources but also institutions capable of protecting commitments and resolving disputes fairly.
POLICY TAKEAWAY
CJI Surya Kant's “Nyaya-nomics” argument links economic growth directly with the quality and predictability of justice delivery. His message at the BRICS+ Legal Forum was that trusted institutions can reduce transaction costs, strengthen confidence and help create fairer conditions for economic activity.
His proposed “Nyaya Setu”, judicial fellowship and shared legal database could further strengthen cooperation among the 11 legal traditions represented within the BRICS+ framework.
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