Jaipur/ Bhopal August 1, 2026

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said the concept of mediation has deep roots in India's civilisational history, drawing examples from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Kautilya's Arthashastra. He said persuasion and conciliation have long formed the foundation of governance and peaceful dispute resolution in the country. The Chief Justice was addressing the Commonwealth Peace Mediation Conference in Jaipur.

According to agency reports, Justice Surya Kant referred to the conference's inaugural session held on Friday and said India's ancient epics and historical traditions offer valuable lessons on mediation. Citing Kautilya's Arthashastra, he said the ancient text describes four principles of governance—Saam, Daam, Dand and Bhed—while placing "Saam", or persuasion and conciliation, as the first course of action.

The Chief Justice explained that "Daam" signifies incentives, "Dand" refers to punishment or the use of force, and "Bhed" means division or strategic separation. He said Kautilya's philosophy gave priority to dialogue before coercive measures, reflecting the principles that continue to guide modern mediation.

Describing Kautilya as one of history's great philosophers, Justice Surya Kant said the emphasis on conciliation eventually contributed to the evolution of codified principles of governance in which the rule of law occupies a central place. He added that India's historical experience continues to offer relevant lessons for contemporary justice systems.

The Chief Justice's remarks come at a time when mediation is receiving increasing attention in India's legal system. The Mediation Act, 2023, provides a statutory framework for institutional mediation and encourages negotiated settlement of disputes before they enter prolonged litigation. Courts have also been promoting mediation in civil, commercial and family matters to reduce case pendency and secure faster, mutually acceptable outcomes.

The three-day Commonwealth Peace Mediation Conference has brought together judges, legal experts and mediation practitioners from several Commonwealth countries to discuss the expanding role of alternative dispute resolution. The deliberations are expected to strengthen cooperation on mediation practices and promote wider adoption of peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms across jurisdictions.