As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate, the United Nations' top court ordered Moscow on Wednesday (March 16) to immediately halt its "military operations" in Ukraine.&nbsp;

The decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) comes as Russia has intensified shelling and airstrikes on Ukrainian cities with its forces in place around major cities including the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The court is profoundly concerned about the use of force by the Russian Federation which raises very serious issues in international law," pending the final decision in the case, presiding judge Joan Donoghue said at the hearing held at the court's headquarters at the Peace Palace building.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-compares-russian-invasion-to-911-and-pearl-harbor-attack-putin-says-invasion-on-course-463021">Zelensky compares Russian invasion to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor attack; Putin says invasion on course</a>

The top UN court for disputes between states said that it was "profoundly concerned" by Russia's use of force. "The Russian Federation shall immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on Feb 24, 2022 on the territory of Ukraine," the ICJ judges said in a 13-2 decision.&nbsp;

Among other judges who voted against Russia, India's judge at the ICJ, Justice Dalveer Bhandari, also voted. The nomination of Justice Bhandari to the ICJ was done on the support of the government and various missions over a period of time.&nbsp;

Justice Bhandari's vote against Russia does not represent India's stance on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. It is an independent move.&nbsp;

At every stage, India vouched for diplomatic dialogues to resolve the issue and abstained from voting on the Ukraine-Russia issue in the UN.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-under-attack-russia-attacks-mariupol-theatre-sheltering-hundreds-of-civilians-see-satellite-image-463012">Russia attacks Mariupol theatre sheltering 'hundreds' of civilians - see satellite image</a>

On the other hand, Kyiv hailed the verdict as a "complete victory" saying it will continue to pursue the case "until Ukrainian people can go back to normal life".&nbsp;

Although it is important to note that the rulings of the ICJ are binding, it has no direct means of enforcing them. There have been cases in the past, that countries have ignored them.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday welcomed the ruling by the ICJ on emergency measures as "a complete victory" in its case against Russia.&nbsp;

"The (ICJ) order is binding under international law. Russia must comply immediately. Ignoring the order will isolate Russia even further," Zelensky said on Twitter.

WATCH |&nbsp;World court orders Russia to immediately halt invasion of Ukraine

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As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate, the United Nations' top court ordered Moscow on Wednesday (March 16) to immediately halt its "military operations" in Ukraine.

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate, the United Nations' top court ordered Moscow on Wednesday (March 16) to immediately halt its "military operations" in Ukraine. The decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) comes as Russia has intensified shelling and airstrikes on Ukrainian cities with its forces in place around major cities including the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. "The court is profoundly concerned about the use of force by the Russian Federation which raises very serious issues in international law," pending the final decision in the case, presiding judge Joan Donoghue said at the hearing held at the court's headquarters at the Peace Palace building. ALSO READ | Zelensky compares Russian invasion to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor attack; Putin says invasion on course The top UN court for disputes between states said that it was "profoundly concerned" by Russia's use of force. "The Russian Federation shall immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on Feb 24, 2022 on the territory of Ukraine," the ICJ judges said in a 13-2 decision. Among other judges who voted against Russia, India's judge at the ICJ, Justice Dalveer Bhandari, also voted. The nomination of Justice Bhandari to the ICJ was done on the support of the government and various missions over a period of time. Justice Bhandari's vote against Russia does not represent India's stance on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. It is an independent move. At every stage, India vouched for diplomatic dialogues to resolve the issue and abstained from voting on the Ukraine-Russia issue in the UN. ALSO READ | Russia attacks Mariupol theatre sheltering 'hundreds' of civilians - see satellite image On the other hand, Kyiv hailed the verdict as a "complete victory" saying it will continue to pursue the case "until Ukrainian people can go back to normal life". Although it is important to note that the rulings of the ICJ are binding, it has no direct means of enforcing them. There have been cases in the past, that countries have ignored them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday welcomed the ruling by the ICJ on emergency measures as "a complete victory" in its case against Russia. "The (ICJ) order is binding under international law. Russia must comply immediately. Ignoring the order will isolate Russia even further," Zelensky said on Twitter. WATCH | World court orders Russia to immediately halt invasion of Ukraine ×

Dalveer Bhandari, Indian judge at ICJ, voted against Russia in Ukraine invasion case

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/kulbhushan-jadhav-excution-stayed-international-court-of-justice-3405" target="_blank">International Court of Justice(ICJ)</a> is the principal organ of the United Nation that aims to maintain and strengthen international peace and security.

Seated in Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, the principal judicial organisation of the UN is the only organisation to not to have its seat in New York.&nbsp;

The world&#39;s highest international court is the successor of The Permanent Court of International Justice established in 1922. The court functioned from 1922-1940. It was dissolved after World War II.&nbsp;

The ICJ came into existence in 1946 succeeded the Permanent Court of International Justice.

The two official language of the court is English and French.&nbsp;

The court consists of 50 judges. They are elected for a period of nine years by the General Assembly(GA) and the UN Security Council(UNSC).

The members of the court must all be from different countries. However, they do not represent their countries. They are independent judges.&nbsp;

Three seats on the bench are occupied by African judges, two from Latin America and the Carribean, three from Asia, five from western Europe and the other western nations including&nbsp;two from eastern Europe.&nbsp;

Although no country is entitled to a seat, the court has always included a judge from each of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

The&nbsp; International Court of Justice has two important roles.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/dalveer-bhandari-re-elected-icj-judge-britain-pulls-out-24693" target="_blank">Britain congratulates India as Dalveer Bhandari gets re-elected as ICJ judge</a>

Also read: &#39;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/proud-moment-for-us-pm-modi-on-justice-dalveer-bhandaris-re-election-to-icj-24713" target="_blank">Proud moment for us&#39;: PM Modi on Justice Dalveer Bhandari&#39;s re-election to ICJ</a>

The first is to resolve contentious cases, which primarily includes disputes between states, border disputes, diplomatic protections maritime delimitation, humanitarian law, use of armed force.These contentious cases account for over 80 per cent of its work.&nbsp;

All UN members are entitled to bring any proceedings in front of the court. Other non-member states can also access the court subject to certain conditions.&nbsp;

Once the court is seized the proceedings take place in two phases. The court submits their arguments, evidence and submissions in writings.&nbsp;Then their representatives, lawyers deliver oral arguments before the court hearing.&nbsp;

The court then begins its deliberations, which is confidential. Its questions are decided by the majority of judges present. On an average, these deliberations last&nbsp;between 4-6 months. Each deliberation is delivered in two languages. It is reproduced in several sealed copies. One of these copies is sent to each of the states involved in the deliberations.&nbsp;

The judgement of the court is final and without any appeal. By accessing the court on their own will, the states assume a commitment to comply with its decision. If a state refuses to abide by a decision of the court the opposition state may seek the intervention of the Security Council. The Security Council can take a decision to give an effect of the judgement under article 94 of the charter of the UN.

The second role of the ICJ is to respond to legal questions submitted to it by General Assembly, Security Council and other UN organs or agencies. The is known as Advisory Opinions. Unlike judgement in contentious cases, the Advisory Opinions are not binding on the United Nations.&nbsp;

The budget of the International Court of Justice accounts for less than one per cent of the regular budget of the United Nations.

Since its establishment, the court has dealt with 161 cases. It is not a criminal court. It does not take up cases related to individuals.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The world's highest international court is the successor of The Permanent Court of International Justice established in 1922. The court functioned from 1922-1940. It was dissolved after the second World war

International Court of Justice(ICJ) is the principal organ of the United Nation that aims to maintain and strengthen international peace and security. Seated in Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, the principal judicial organisation of the UN is the only organisation to not to have its seat in New York. The world's highest international court is the successor of The Permanent Court of International Justice established in 1922. The court functioned from 1922-1940. It was dissolved after World War II. The ICJ came into existence in 1946 succeeded the Permanent Court of International Justice. The two official language of the court is English and French. The court consists of 50 judges. They are elected for a period of nine years by the General Assembly(GA) and the UN Security Council(UNSC). The members of the court must all be from different countries. However, they do not represent their countries. They are independent judges. Three seats on the bench are occupied by African judges, two from Latin America and the Carribean, three from Asia, five from western Europe and the other western nations including two from eastern Europe. Although no country is entitled to a seat, the court has always included a judge from each of the five permanent members of the Security Council. The International Court of Justice has two important roles. Also read: Britain congratulates India as Dalveer Bhandari gets re-elected as ICJ judge Also read: 'Proud moment for us': PM Modi on Justice Dalveer Bhandari's re-election to ICJ The first is to resolve contentious cases, which primarily includes disputes between states, border disputes, diplomatic protections maritime delimitation, humanitarian law, use of armed force.These contentious cases account for over 80 per cent of its work. All UN members are entitled to bring any proceedings in front of the court. Other non-member states can also access the court subject to certain conditions. Once the court is seized the proceedings take place in two phases. The court submits their arguments, evidence and submissions in writings. Then their representatives, lawyers deliver oral arguments before the court hearing. The court then begins its deliberations, which is confidential. Its questions are decided by the majority of judges present. On an average, these deliberations last between 4-6 months. Each deliberation is delivered in two languages. It is reproduced in several sealed copies. One of these copies is sent to each of the states involved in the deliberations. The judgement of the court is final and without any appeal. By accessing the court on their own will, the states assume a commitment to comply with its decision. If a state refuses to abide by a decision of the court the opposition state may seek the intervention of the Security Council. The Security Council can take a decision to give an effect of the judgement under article 94 of the charter of the UN. The second role of the ICJ is to respond to legal questions submitted to it by General Assembly, Security Council and other UN organs or agencies. The is known as Advisory Opinions. Unlike judgement in contentious cases, the Advisory Opinions are not binding on the United Nations. The budget of the International Court of Justice accounts for less than one per cent of the regular budget of the United Nations. Since its establishment, the court has dealt with 161 cases. It is not a criminal court. It does not take up cases related to individuals.

Everything you wanted to know about the International Court of Justice

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/dalveer-bhandari-re-elected-icj-judge-britain-pulls-out-24693">Dalveer Bhandari who was re-elected </a>to the International Court of Justice after Britain pulled out of the race thanked the Indian government on Tuesday.

&quot;The win wouldn&#39;t have been possible without the support of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/proud-moment-for-us-pm-modi-on-justice-dalveer-bhandaris-re-election-to-icj-24713">PM Narendra Modi and Sushma Swaraj</a>,&quot; Dalveer Bhandari said, adding,&quot;the win happened due to coincidence.&quot;

Reflecting on the victory, Bhandari said India is known as an &quot;emerging nation worldwide&quot;.

&quot;The voice of every nation in the UN should be fully heard,&quot; Bhandari said.&nbsp;

&quot;Reforms are imperative at the UN,&quot; he added.

Dalveer Bhandari&#39;s candidature was opposed by UN&#39;s permanent security member Britain unnerving&nbsp;Indian 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&#39;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Matthew Rycroft said,&quot;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.&quot;

&quot;We are naturally disappointed, but it was a competitive field with six strong candidates,&quot; he said.

&quot;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,&quot; Rycroft added.

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 unnerving Indian 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.

India an emerging nation, win at ICJ a coincidence, says Dalveer Bhandari after re-election

Dalveer <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-need-to-do-an-effective-job-in-persuading-the-brits-to-step-down-shashi-tharoor-to-wion-24605">Bhandari was re-elected to the International</a> Court of Justice (ICJ) after Britain withdrew its candidate for election to the world court as the battle for the last seat concluded peacefully on Monday.

Earlier, Britain as a permanent member of &nbsp;UN Security Council(UNSC) had threatened to use a mechanism of Joint Conference to thwart Dalveer Bhandari&#39;s&nbsp;re-election chances even though nearly two-thirds of members of the UN General Assembly supported the Indian candidate.

Soon after the election results were announced, India&#39;s Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin was congratulated by representatives of other countries on the floor of the General Assembly.

India&#39;s external affairs minister tweeted on India&#39;s victory, saying: &quot;Vande Matram - India wins election to the International Court of Justice. Hai Hind.&quot;

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Vande Matram - India wins election to the International Court of Justice. JaiHind. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICJ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICJ</a>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/932716771685134338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;We are naturally disappointed, but it was a competitive field with six strong candidates,&quot; Britain&#39;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Matthew Rycroft said.

&quot;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,&quot;&nbsp;he added.

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.

Rycroft, in a statement,&nbsp;said the UK had decided to withdraw Sir Chris Greenwood as a candidate for re-election as a Judge of the International Court of Justice.

&quot;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,&quot; he said.

Rycroft said that the UK will continue to support the work of the ICJ, &quot;in line with our commitment to the importance of the rule of law in the UN system and in the international community more generally&quot;.

The appointment to the highest court of justice became a bitter battle after the UK government sought to trigger the the Joint Conference mechanism comprising of three members each from the United Nations General Assembly(GA) and Security Council(SC) who would have used their powers to put Christopher Greenwood - the UK candidate on the hot seat instead of open voting to elect a judge to the ICJ.

However, in the end, Britain decided against using Joint Conference mechanism and pulled out of the race ensuring India&#39;s Dalveer Bhandari&#39;s candidature going through by a majority vote in the ICJ.&nbsp;

Britain&#39;s withdrawal from the election to the prestigious world court would mean that there won&#39;t&nbsp;a British judge on the UN&#39;s most powerful court for the first time in its history.

Based in The Hague, the ICJ has a bench of 15 judges, five of whom are elected every three years for a nine-year term.

Established in 1945, the role of the ICJ is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions.

The appointment to the highest court of justice became a bitter battle after the UK government sought to trigger the the Joint Conference mechanism

Dalveer Bhandari was re-elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after Britain withdrew its candidate for election to the world court as the battle for the last seat concluded peacefully on Monday. Earlier, Britain as a permanent member of UN Security Council(UNSC) had threatened to use a mechanism of Joint Conference to thwart Dalveer Bhandari's re-election chances even though nearly two-thirds of members of the UN General Assembly supported the Indian candidate. Soon after the election results were announced, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin was congratulated by representatives of other countries on the floor of the General Assembly. India's external affairs minister tweeted on India's victory, saying: "Vande Matram - India wins election to the International Court of Justice. Hai Hind." Vande Matram - India wins election to the International Court of Justice. JaiHind. #ICJ — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 20, 2017 × "We are naturally disappointed, but it was a competitive field with six strong candidates," Britain's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Matthew Rycroft 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," he added. 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. Rycroft, in a statement, said the UK had decided to withdraw Sir Chris Greenwood as a candidate for re-election as a Judge of the International Court of Justice. "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," he said. Rycroft said that the UK will continue to support the work of the ICJ, "in line with our commitment to the importance of the rule of law in the UN system and in the international community more generally". The appointment to the highest court of justice became a bitter battle after the UK government sought to trigger the the Joint Conference mechanism comprising of three members each from the United Nations General Assembly(GA) and Security Council(SC) who would have used their powers to put Christopher Greenwood - the UK candidate on the hot seat instead of open voting to elect a judge to the ICJ. However, in the end, Britain decided against using Joint Conference mechanism and pulled out of the race ensuring India's Dalveer Bhandari's candidature going through by a majority vote in the ICJ. Britain's withdrawal from the election to the prestigious world court would mean that there won't a British judge on the UN's most powerful court for the first time in its history. Based in The Hague, the ICJ has a bench of 15 judges, five of whom are elected every three years for a nine-year term. Established in 1945, the role of the ICJ is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions.

Britain congratulates India as Dalveer Bhandari gets re-elected as ICJ judge

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/dalveer-bhandari-re-elected-icj-judge-britain-pulls-out-24693">Dalveer Bhandari re-elected ICJ judge, Britain pulls out</a>

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.

&nbsp;

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US president&#39;s daughter Ivanka Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the high-profile two-day event with entrepreneurs from across the world set to attend the event.

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&nbsp;

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Around 59,000 Haitians, living under the Temporary Residency Permit, have been asked to leave the United States within 18 months, the Trump administration announced.

 
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Around 59,000 Haitians, living under the Temporary Residency Permit, have been asked to leave the United States within 18 months

Dalveer Bhandari re-elected ICJ judge, Britain pulls out 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. Deepika Padukone withdraws from Global Entrepreneurship Summit amid 'Padmavati' row US president's daughter Ivanka Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the high-profile two-day event with entrepreneurs from across the world set to attend the event. Declaring North Korea a terrorist state should have happened years ago: Trump Trump said the sanctions as a result of designating North Korea a terrorist state would lead to "very large" US Treasury sanctions that would eventually amount to a "maximum pressure campaign." Haitians directed to leave US within 18 months Around 59,000 Haitians, living under the Temporary Residency Permit, have been asked to leave the United States within 18 months, the Trump administration announced. Gujarat elections: Congress releases second list of candidates A day after Congress released the first list of candidates for the Gujarat assembly elections, the party on Monday came out with its second list.

WION morning news brief, November 21, 2017

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/triple-talaq-centre-likely-to-introduce-bill-in-winter-session-of-parliament-to-end-practice-24747">Triple Talaq: Centre likely to introduce bill in winter session of Parliament to end practice</a>

The Centre has decided to bring in legislation during the winter session of Parliament to end the practice of triple talaq. Sources said that a ministerial committee has been constituted to frame a law.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/journalist-of-tripura-shot-dead-by-policeman-24752">Journalist shot dead in Tripura by jawan</a>

A journalist has been shot dead in Tripura, by a jawan of the 2nd Tripura State Rifles (TSR) in RK Nagar, about 20 kms from the state capital Agartala.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/suicide-bomber-kills-at-least-50-in-nigeria-24746">At least 50 dead after suicide bomber strikes Nigeria mosque</a>

At least 50 people were killed today when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, police said, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/suicide-bomber-kills-at-least-50-in-nigeria-24746">IFFI 2017: Kerala High Court orders screening of &#39;S Durga&#39; at festival </a>

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ordered the screening of Malayalam film&nbsp;S Durga&nbsp;at the ongoing IFFI in Goa, days after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry dropped the movie from the festival.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-an-emerging-nation-win-at-icj-a-coincidence-says-dalveer-bhandari-after-re-election-24716">India an emerging nation, win at ICJ a coincidence, says Dalveer Bhandari after re-election</a>

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.

&quot;The win wouldn&#39;t have been possible without the support of PM Narendra Modi and Sushma Swaraj,&quot; Dalveer Bhandari said, adding,&quot;the win happened due to coincidence.&quot;

Triple Talaq: Centre likely to introduce bill in winter session of Parliament to end practice The Centre has decided to bring in legislation during the winter session of Parliament to end the practice of triple talaq. Sources said that a ministerial committee has been constituted to frame a law. Journalist shot dead in Tripura by jawan A journalist has been shot dead in Tripura, by a jawan of the 2nd Tripura State Rifles (TSR) in RK Nagar, about 20 kms from the state capital Agartala. At least 50 dead after suicide bomber strikes Nigeria mosque At least 50 people were killed today when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, police said, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists. IFFI 2017: Kerala High Court orders screening of 'S Durga' at festival The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ordered the screening of Malayalam film S Durga at the ongoing IFFI in Goa, days after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry dropped the movie from the festival. India an emerging nation, win at ICJ a coincidence, says Dalveer Bhandari after re-election 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."

WION evening news brief, November 21, 2017

The permanent members of the UN Security Council are &#39;unnerved&#39; by the prospect of India&#39;s nominee Dalveer Bhandari winning against Britain&#39;s candidate in the election to the last seat of the World Court as it would set a precedent that may challenge their power in the future, observers here feel.

Bhandari and Britain&#39;s Christopher Greenwood are locked in a neck-and-neck fight for re-election to the Hague-based International Court of Justice, the sources say.

The permanent members of the Security Council -- the US, Russia, France, and China -- appeared to have rallied behind Greenwood. Britain is the fifth permanent member of the Security Council.

In the 11 rounds of an election so far, Bhandari has been receiving the support of nearly two-thirds of the members of the General Assembly but is trailing by three votes against Greenwood in the Security Council.

The 12th round of elections has been scheduled for Monday.

Britain on Friday in an informal consultation of the UN Security Council members mooted the idea of joint conference mechanism as it feels that this could be their only face-saving exit strategy, informed sources said.

As shared with other members of the Security Council during informal consultations, Britain would prefer to stop voting on the ICJ elections&nbsp;after the first round as it fears that otherwise, India could well cross the two-thirds mark. In that scenario, it would be very difficult for the UN Security Council stop India&#39;s candidate from being elected to the ICJ.

However, the prospect of India winning against a P5 member through democratic means is something that this elite club of veto-wielding countries - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - are unnerved with, because this would set a precedent that they do not want to be repeated.

&quot;Today it is Britain, tomorrow it could be any one of us&quot; is the argument which has brought all these five countries together, sources say.

&quot;If the one (of the P5) is going to be knocked off today, the other fear that they might be knocked off tomorrow,&quot; according to a source.

Such an assessment of the UN insiders is based on informed sources, as voting for the ICJ election in both the Security Council and the General Assembly are based on secret ballots and there is no way to know who voted for whom.

In all the rounds of the election so far, Greenwood has consistently got nine votes and Bhandari five in the Security Council. It is likely that on Monday India might increase its tally.

It is understood that both New Delhi and Permanent Mission of India to the UN have been working overtime to convince the members of the Security Council on the need to go by the voice of the majority of the General Assembly.

But by Sunday evening it appeared that Britain was ready to execute its plan, as per which after the first round of voting they would call for a meeting of the Security Council and would seek a mandate to stop any further round of voting, and would call for adoption of joint conference mechanism, which was last adopted in 1921.

However, this might come as a silver lining for India, sources said.

This is because the Security Council vote to stop further rounds of the ICJ election would be open and not through a secret ballot.

As a result, countries, many of whom have been pledging friendship with India but secretly voting against its candidate would be exposed in the open of raising their hands against India. This is something that members of the Security Council would avoid.

Of the Permanent Five members, the US under President Donald Trump has just come out a 100-year plan of friendship with India and renamed Asia-Pacific and the Indo-Pacific region.

Incidentally, hours before the ICJ election, Trump would be meeting Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and his Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley at the White House.

It is not sure if Trump plans to weigh in on this issue in favor of India.

Trump has repeatedly called himself as the &quot;best friend of India and Indian Americans&quot; in the White House.

Russia is an all-weather tested friend of India. Over the past several decades, France has emerged as a reliable friend of India.

The stand of China on a lot of issues is well known including India&#39;s membership to the Security Council and Beijing vetoing a move to designate Azhar Masood as a global terrorist by the UN.

So, it would be quite a surprise, if China favored an Indian candidate.

&quot;When chips are down, you always get support from developing countries,&quot; commented one India watcher at the UN.

The voting in the General Assembly which overwhelmingly favors India is reflective of the new global order, which is not pleasant to the world powers.

Despite best of the British effort, their vote tally in the General Assembly has decreased with every other round of voting.

India's nominee Dalveer Bhandari and Britain's Christopher Greenwood are locked in a neck-and-neck fight for re-election to the Hague-based International Court of Justice

The permanent members of the UN Security Council are 'unnerved' by the prospect of India's nominee Dalveer Bhandari winning against Britain's candidate in the election to the last seat of the World Court as it would set a precedent that may challenge their power in the future, observers here feel. Bhandari and Britain's Christopher Greenwood are locked in a neck-and-neck fight for re-election to the Hague-based International Court of Justice, the sources say. The permanent members of the Security Council -- the US, Russia, France, and China -- appeared to have rallied behind Greenwood. Britain is the fifth permanent member of the Security Council. In the 11 rounds of an election so far, Bhandari has been receiving the support of nearly two-thirds of the members of the General Assembly but is trailing by three votes against Greenwood in the Security Council. The 12th round of elections has been scheduled for Monday. Britain on Friday in an informal consultation of the UN Security Council members mooted the idea of joint conference mechanism as it feels that this could be their only face-saving exit strategy, informed sources said. As shared with other members of the Security Council during informal consultations, Britain would prefer to stop voting on the ICJ elections after the first round as it fears that otherwise, India could well cross the two-thirds mark. In that scenario, it would be very difficult for the UN Security Council stop India's candidate from being elected to the ICJ. However, the prospect of India winning against a P5 member through democratic means is something that this elite club of veto-wielding countries - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - are unnerved with, because this would set a precedent that they do not want to be repeated. "Today it is Britain, tomorrow it could be any one of us" is the argument which has brought all these five countries together, sources say. "If the one (of the P5) is going to be knocked off today, the other fear that they might be knocked off tomorrow," according to a source. Such an assessment of the UN insiders is based on informed sources, as voting for the ICJ election in both the Security Council and the General Assembly are based on secret ballots and there is no way to know who voted for whom. In all the rounds of the election so far, Greenwood has consistently got nine votes and Bhandari five in the Security Council. It is likely that on Monday India might increase its tally. It is understood that both New Delhi and Permanent Mission of India to the UN have been working overtime to convince the members of the Security Council on the need to go by the voice of the majority of the General Assembly. But by Sunday evening it appeared that Britain was ready to execute its plan, as per which after the first round of voting they would call for a meeting of the Security Council and would seek a mandate to stop any further round of voting, and would call for adoption of joint conference mechanism, which was last adopted in 1921. However, this might come as a silver lining for India, sources said. This is because the Security Council vote to stop further rounds of the ICJ election would be open and not through a secret ballot. As a result, countries, many of whom have been pledging friendship with India but secretly voting against its candidate would be exposed in the open of raising their hands against India. This is something that members of the Security Council would avoid. Of the Permanent Five members, the US under President Donald Trump has just come out a 100-year plan of friendship with India and renamed Asia-Pacific and the Indo-Pacific region. Incidentally, hours before the ICJ election, Trump would be meeting Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and his Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley at the White House. It is not sure if Trump plans to weigh in on this issue in favor of India. Trump has repeatedly called himself as the "best friend of India and Indian Americans" in the White House. Russia is an all-weather tested friend of India. Over the past several decades, France has emerged as a reliable friend of India. The stand of China on a lot of issues is well known including India's membership to the Security Council and Beijing vetoing a move to designate Azhar Masood as a global terrorist by the UN. So, it would be quite a surprise, if China favored an Indian candidate. "When chips are down, you always get support from developing countries," commented one India watcher at the UN. The voting in the General Assembly which overwhelmingly favors India is reflective of the new global order, which is not pleasant to the world powers. Despite best of the British effort, their vote tally in the General Assembly has decreased with every other round of voting.

UNSC permanent members unnerved by prospect of India's nominee winning ICJ election: Observers