India’s next Chief Justice, Justice Surya Kant, has emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between India and Sri Lanka to protect the Indian Ocean, describing environmental collaboration as a necessity for survival rather than an act of charity or diplomacy.
Speaking at an event at the University of Colombo during his three-day visit to Sri Lanka, Justice Kant underscored the historical and ecological significance of the seas between the two nations, calling them “arteries of exchange that carry trust, culture, and ideas.”
“It is time for India and Sri Lanka to pioneer a regional model of eco-constitutionalism,” he said, urging both countries to take the lead in safeguarding the marine ecosystem.
Justice Kant also announced that a delegation of Sri Lankan Supreme Court judges will visit India later this year or in early 2026 — a move he described as a step toward enhancing judicial dialogue and institutional cooperation between the two countries.
Highlighting the ecological interdependence of India and Sri Lanka, Justice Kant described the Indian Ocean as a historical bridge connecting the people of both nations through shared culture, trust, and ecosystems.
He warned that biodiversity hotspots such as the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar are under severe strain due to overfishing, destructive trawling, and unregulated coastal activities. The ongoing clashes between Indian trawlers and Sri Lankan fishermen, he noted, reflect “a profound environmental tragedy” stemming from competition for depleted marine resources.
Justice Kant also drew attention to the growing threats of climate change, including saltwater intrusion, microplastic accumulation, and uncoordinated disaster responses, urging both nations to engage in joint monitoring and data sharing.
Describing the judiciary as a moral and constitutional guardian of ecological balance, Justice Kant concluded by noting that both India and Sri Lanka have developed robust environmental jurisprudence, which should now be leveraged for regional cooperation and sustainable governance.
