Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday, 1 August 2026, inaugurated the Commonwealth Peace Mediation and Rule of Law Conference (CPMC-2026) in Jaipur, declaring mediation the cornerstone of social harmony and urging nations to treat dialogue as a superior alternative to prolonged court battles. The three-day conference at The Lalit Hotel has drawn judges, mediators, legal experts, attorneys general, academicians, and policymakers from all 52 Commonwealth nations.

Key Developments at the Inaugural Session

Justice Surya Kant drew a striking parallel between Jaipur's urban design and the philosophy of mediation. 'The city was designed on the principles of harmony, balance, and proportion. Its planners ensured that no single part of the city would overwhelm another,' he said, adding that mediation similarly ensures no voice, however powerful, silences another. He described peace not as the absence of conflict but as 'the law's finest achievement.'

The conference is jointly organised by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA), the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), and dispute-resolution body Nivaaran. It is expected to conclude on 2 August 2026 with the adoption of the Jaipur Peace Mediation Declaration 2026 — a framework of shared principles on mediation and the rule of law for Commonwealth nations.

What the Government Said

Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal invoked India's traditional 'Panch Parmeshwar' system as one of the earliest forms of structured mediation. He flagged that rapid technological shifts — including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Industry 4.0 — are generating new categories of cross-border legal disputes, demanding faster mediation mechanisms. 'Justice achieved through dialogue creates a more peaceful society,' he said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta cited mythological precedent, referencing Lord Rama's dispatch of Angad as a peace envoy before battle in the Ramayana, and Lord Krishna's bid for reconciliation before the Mahabharata war. 'Mediation succeeds only when there is willingness to listen,' he said, cautioning that even the greatest efforts cannot prevent conflict if one side refuses dialogue.

Rajasthan's Record and the State's Role

Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma said Rajasthan now ranks second in India in resolving cases through mediation, positioning the state as a national leader in alternative dispute resolution. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma noted that court disputes often drain litigants of time, money, and energy for years without resolving the underlying bitterness between parties. He added that legal aid has been extended to 5.85 lakh people in the state, and credited the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with strengthening institutional mediation nationally.

Hari Om Attri, Member Secretary of the RSLSA, underscored the practical case: while litigation can drag on for years, mediation typically resolves disputes within a few months, preserving both relationships and resources.

India's Historical Tradition of Mediation

Justice Surya Kant recalled that long before formal courts existed, village disputes in India were settled through Gram Panchayats, whose mediators were simultaneously community leaders and custodians of social harmony. This civilisational thread, he argued, makes India a natural champion of mediation on the global stage. The inaugural session also saw the release of a book titled 'Death of My Mistress — The Law; Birth of My Love — Justice', authored by Supreme Court Senior Advocate Aruneshwar Gupta, Vice-President of the Resolution Institute.

What Comes Next

Delegates from all 52 Commonwealth nations are expected to deliberate over three days before adopting the Jaipur Peace Mediation Declaration 2026 on 2 August. The declaration is designed to establish binding shared principles on conflict resolution and the rule of law across the Commonwealth. Its adoption would mark one of the most significant multilateral commitments to institutionalised mediation in the bloc's recent history.