During the Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture at Chanakya Law University in Patna, Bihar, Justice BV Nagarathna of the Supreme Court asserted that the central government should regard states as 'co-equals' rather than subordinates. She emphasized that the constitutional framework of India is designed to maintain a balance of power between the Centre and states, advocating for a governance model based on negotiation and coordination. Justice Nagarathna called for stronger cooperation between different levels of government, stressing that political affiliations should not affect the treatment of states. She pointed out that citizens should benefit equally from welfare measures, regardless of which party is in power. Furthermore, she cautioned against the tendency to rush to courts over disputes, suggesting that dialogue and mediation should be prioritized to strengthen cooperative federalism. Justice Nagarathna also highlighted the importance of institutional integrity, stating that key bodies must operate independently and maintain public trust to safeguard the Constitution effectively.