Prominent Indian jurist Bimal Patel has been elected as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Currently serving as a member of the UN International Law Commission, Patel is also the Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Public International Law at Rashtriya Raksha University. The announcement was made by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, which expressed congratulations to Patel and emphasized India’s ongoing commitment to multilateralism and the principles of the Law of the Sea.
In addition to his role at ITLOS, Patel chairs the Working Group on Succession of States regarding State Responsibility under the UN International Law Commission. He is also part of the National Security Advisory Board within the Prime Minister’s Office. Over his 30-year career, Patel has held various significant positions, including Director of Gujarat National Law University and Member of the 21st Law Commission of India.
Patel’s extensive experience includes 15 years working with international organizations like the United Nations of Youth and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. ITLOS, established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, addresses disputes related to maritime law, including issues of navigation, resource management, and environmental protection.
The tribunal comprises 21 independent members elected by secret ballot from States Parties to the Convention, with India’s Neeru Chadha currently serving as Vice-President. Patel’s election reinforces India’s dedication to multilateralism in maritime law.
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