India an emerging nation, win at ICJ a coincidence, says Dalveer Bhandari after re-election
Dalveer Bhandri re-elected as ICJ judge
Reflecting on the victory, Bhandari said India is known as an "emerging nation worldwide"
Dalveer Bhandari who was re-elected to the International Court of Justice after Britain pulled out of the race thanked the Indian government on Tuesday.
"The win wouldn't have been possible without the support of PM Narendra Modi and Sushma Swaraj," Dalveer Bhandari said, adding,"the win happened due to coincidence."
Reflecting on the victory, Bhandari said India is known as an "emerging nation worldwide".
"The voice of every nation in the UN should be fully heard," Bhandari said.
"Reforms are imperative at the UN," he added.
Dalveer Bhandari's candidature was opposed by UN's permanent security member Britain unnervingIndian officials at the ICJ, however, the British government decided to pull out, in the end, ensuring victory for Bhandari.
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.
Britain's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Matthew Rycroft said,"The UK has concluded that it is wrong to continue to take up the valuable time of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly with further rounds of elections."
"We are naturally disappointed, but it was a competitive field with six strong candidates," he said.
"If the UK could not win in this run-off, then we are pleased that it is a close friend like India that has done so instead," Rycroft added.