US congratulates Dalveer Bhandari for renomination to ICJ, asserts no change in UNSC veto

Washington: The US has congratulated Justice Dalveer Bhandari for his re-election to the International Court of Justice or ICJ, however, it asserted that it is against any change in the current veto structure of the UN Security Council, even as it favours a modest expansion of the 15-membered body.

India's Dalveer Bhandari was Tuesday re-elected to the International Court of Justice with more than two-thirds of the UN members backing him, forcing Britain to withdraw its candidate amidst high drama in the hard-fought race to the world court.

Responding to questions on reform of the 15-member top wing of the world court, a US State Department spokesperson said: The United States remains open in principle to the idea of UN Security Council reform, including a modest expansion of the Security Council.

Read: India's nominee re-elected as ICJ judge after Britain withdraws

"We believe a reformed council must reflect the realities of the 21st century and be able to meet the challenges of this century with enhanced - and not diminished - effectiveness and efficiency. To this end, we remain opposed to any alteration or expansion of the veto, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson was asked about reform of the UNSC in view of the differences that emerged between the General Assembly and the Security Council during the just concluded election to the ICJ.

For the last remaining seat, the General Assembly and the UN Security Council had to carry 11 round of voting before judge Christopher Greenwood from Britain withdrew from the race, leaving India's nominee Dalveer Bhandari to be re-elected for a nine-year term.

Read: As India stands deadlocked at ICJ elections, UK resorts to ‘dirty politics’

"We congratulate Judge Dalveer Bhandari of India for his re-election to the International Court of Justice, as well as the other candidates who were elected or re-elected...," the spokesperson said, thanking Judge Greenwood for his service to the ICJ.

However, the official refused to comment on the 11 rounds of voting.

"We're not going to comment on the prior rounds of voting. In the end, Judge Bhandari received the unanimous support of the UNSC and an absolute majority in the UN General Assembly for his re-election to the ICJ," the spokesperson said.