Narendra Modi congratulates Sushma Swaraj, her team for Dalveer Bhandari’s re-election to ICJ
The prime minister called it a proud moment for the country, while other leaders said it was a huge ‘diplomatic win’.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday commended the efforts of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and foreign ministry officials for the re-election of Dalveer Bhandari to the International Court of Justice.
“Our deep gratitude to all the members of UNGA as well as UNSC for their support and trust in India,” Modi said in a tweet.
Bhandari was re-elected to the United Nations’ principal judicial wing on Monday after Britain pulled out of the race. Bhandari and Britain’s Christopher Greenwood were both eyeing the last seat at the world court in Hague. Bhandari got 183 of the 193 votes in the United Nations General Assembly and all the 15 votes of the Security Council.
I congratulate Justice Dalveer Bhandari on being re-elected to the International Court of Justice. His re-election is a proud moment for us.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2017
Swaraj also congratulated Bhandari and tweeted, “Vande Matram – India wins election to the International Court of Justice. JaiHind.”
Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah congratulated Swaraj and Modi for their efforts and called the win a “huge diplomatic win” and was a reflection of a “strong and decisive” leadership.
The United Kingdom promised to work closely with India at the United Nations and globally, PTI reported. Matthew Rycroft, Britain’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that his country decided to withdraw Greenwood’s candidature because it thought it was “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,” 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.”
Some reactions from Indian leaders:
Vande Matram - India wins election to the International Court of Justice. JaiHind. #ICJ
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 20, 2017
India’s rise in ease of doing business, upgrading of ratings by Moody’s followed by election of Justice #DalveerBhandari at #ICJ where hundreds of countries supported India only reinforces the resurgent India under @narendramodi. Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) November 21, 2017
Congratulations Justice Dalveer Bhandari Ji on being re-elected to Hague based International Court of Justice #ICJ . It is yet another feather in India's cap. Kudos to all those who made it happen, particularly PM @narendramodi Ji & EAM @sushmaswaraj Ji
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) November 21, 2017
Many congratulations to the @narendramodi ji , his government, @sushmaswaraj ji & @MEAIndia on the fabulous achievement of getting #DalveerBhandari re elected to the International Court of Justice . Dr MMS ensured it in 2012 & now Modi ji has done it for us again. Jai Hind !
— Tehseen Poonawalla (@tehseenp) November 21, 2017
Congratulations to #DalveerBhandari ji on winning election to #InternationalCourtofJustice! Proud moment for all of us!
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) November 20, 2017
Compliments to Sri #DalveerBhandari on being re-elected to the #InternationalCourtofJustice. Glory of India continues to soar and this diplomatic win is another feather in our cap. @PMOIndia @SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/iSCMg4DgW4
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 21, 2017
Congratulations to Padma Bhushan Justice #DalveerBhandari on his re-election to #ICJ
— Rajiv Pratap Rudy (@RajivPratapRudy) November 21, 2017
A great diplomatic milestone under @narendramodi and @SushmaSwaraj