New Delhi, April 8 -- Supreme Court judge justice Surya Kant on Monday called for nurturing a culture of consensus, stressing that the diversity of thought must be celebrated rather than subdued, and that meaningful dialogue between democrats and despots is not beyond reach -- even if the path is long.

Delivering a keynote on "Despots and Democrats: Does consensus work?" at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta, justice Kant reflected on the deepening ideological divide in global politics and the potential for common ground .

"In the intricate tapestry of global politics, the interplay between democratic ideals and despotic governance sparks a debate that is as timeless as it is urgent," observed justice Kant, noting that the growing...