Jaishankar congratulates Prof Bimal Patel on election as ITLOS judge
New Delhi, August 11
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Bimal N Patel and extended his felicitations on his recent election as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
"Glad to meet Prof Dr Bimal N Patel today. Congratulated him on his recent election as a Judge of the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea. Wished him the best for a successful tenure," EAM Jaishankar wrote on X.
Patel secured his position through a vote among states parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and is scheduled to assume his responsibilities at the judicial body in September.
His successful candidacy guarantees sustained Indian representation at ITLOS as Neeru Chadha completes her nine-year tenure in September, where she presently serves as Vice President.
An eminent international jurist, Patel is currently a member of the UN's International Law Commission alongside his role as Vice Chancellor of the Rashtriya Raksha University in Gujarat.
His administrative profile also includes a tenure on the National Security Advisory Board within the National Security Council Secretariat.
Highlighting the diplomatic significance of the development, India's UN Mission noted on X that his "election takes forward India's enduring commitment to multilateralism and Law of the Sea".
The voting process was conducted during the thirty-sixth meeting of States Parties to the Law of the Sea Convention.
Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, the 21-judge tribunal is tasked with adjudicating maritime disputes and interpreting global ocean law frameworks.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Congratulations to Prof Patel! This is a testament to India's growing influence in global maritime governance. Having a strong voice in the Law of the Sea is crucial for fair international dispute resolution.
This is a big deal. India's consistent presence at ITLOS shows that our legal experts are internationally respected. Also nice to see the Vice Chancellor of a university in Gujarat taking on such a global role. Well done!
Nice to see our diplomats actively supporting Indian professionals in international institutions. This kind of representation matters for global decision-making processes. Hope Prof Patel has a successful tenure.
All the best to Prof Patel. However, I hope he doesn't forget domestic issues in India while serving internationally. Sometimes our global experts focus too much on external matters and neglect things back home. Nevertheless, a proud moment for the country.
Congratulations! This shows the strength of India's legal education system and the caliber of its scholars. The ITLOS is stronger with diverse representation from major nations like India.
Excellent news! India's maritime interests will be well protected with such an experienced jurist at the tribunal. He has a strong background in international law and security matters. Good luck, Prof Patel!
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