Bhandari wins berth in ICJ: Kovind, PM compliments MEA team

New Delhi: India's nominee Justice Dalveer Bhandari won the crucial mandate to get the berth in the prestigious International Court of Justice.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Ministry's "diplomatic missions" for their efforts, leading to India's re-election to the International Court of Justice.

President Ram Nath Kovind congratulated Justice Dalveer Bhandari on his re-election to the International Court of Justice.In a message here, Mr Kovind said, "Congratulations to Justice Dalveer Bhandari for his re-election to the ICJ. A diplomatic milestone for India'. "Congratulations to EAM @SushmaSwaraj and her entire team at MEA & diplomatic missions for their untiring efforts that have led to India’s re-election to ICJ. Our deep gratitude to all the members of UNGA as well as UNSC for their support and trust in India," the Prime Minister tweeted.

India's Dalveer Bhandari, 70, won the last seat in the world court after Britain withdrew its candidate Christopher Greenwood in a down-to-the-wire race between the two nations. After the two designated days and multiple rounds of voting that ended up in a deadlock, choice of the majority prevailed.Mr Bhandari received 183-193 votes in the General Assembly and secured all the 15 votes in the Security Council after separate and simultaneous elections were held at the UN headquarters in New York.

It will be the first time since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was established in 1945 that there will be no British judge.In another message, Mr Modi congratulated Justice Dalveer Bhandari. "I congratulate Justice Dalveer Bhandari on being re-elected to the International Court of Justice. His re-election is a proud moment for us," he said.

Last night, in her tweet, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj wrote: "Vande Matram - India wins election to the International Court of Justice. Jai Hind".In another missive in the micro blogging site, Ms Swaraj wrote: "Congratulations to Justice Dalveer Bhandari on his re-election as a Judge of the ICJ. Huge efforts by Team - MEA. Syed Akbaruddin @AkbaruddinIndia our Permanent Representative in UN deserves a special mention."In his tweet, Mr Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative in UN Mission, wrote: "A vote that brings cheer to a billion India's nominee Judge Bhandari re-elected to ICJ. General Assembly - 183, Security Council-15".(UNI)