India has secured another important position in the international legal body with the election of Bimal Patel as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).The announcement was made by India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Thursday. The delegation congratulated Patel and said: “Congratulations to Professor Dr. Bimal N. Patel on his election today as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in New York. His election reflects India’s enduring commitment to multilateralism and the law of the sea.”The delegation also thanked Member States for their support and commended all candidates for their commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).Patel currently serves as a member of the United Nations International Law Commission and Chair of its Working Group on State Succession on State Responsibility. He is also Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Public International Law at Rashtriya Raksha University. In addition, he is a member of the National Security Advisory Council under the Secretariat of the National Security Council in the Office of the Prime Minister.The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial institution established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It hears disputes relating to the interpretation and application of the Convention. These cases may involve maritime boundaries, navigation rights, marine resource protection, environmental protection and marine scientific research.The Tribunal is composed of 21 independent judges elected by States parties to the Convention. India has participated in the leadership of the tribunal through Vice-President Neeru Chadha. With Patel’s election, India’s position in one of the world’s most important maritime legal bodies is further strengthened.
Who is Bimal Patel?
- Bimal Patel is an Indian jurist, academic and administrator with over 30 years of experience in the fields of international law, public policy, legal research and higher education. He is currently Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Public International Law at Rashtriya Raksha University, India.
- He has an extensive academic background. Patel holds a PhD in international law and an LLM from Leiden University in the Netherlands. He also holds a PhD in International Law from the National University of Jaipur and an MA in International Relations from the University of Amsterdam.
- He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat, before entering the field of law and international relations.
- Patel served as the Dean and Vice-Chancellor of the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) from 2008 to 2019. During his tenure, he led the university’s academic, research and administrative activities and helped expand the university’s national and international profile.
- He is a member of the United Nations International Law Commission and currently chairs its Working Group on State Succession with Respect to State Responsibility. He has also contributed to discussions on maritime law, piracy, international organizations and dispute settlement.
- Patel is also a member of the National Security Advisory Council under the National Security Council Secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office.
- His career includes nearly 15 years working for international organizations, including the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, Netherlands. There, he was responsible for legal affairs, treaty implementation and international cooperation.
- He has been involved in a number of important policy and legislative initiatives in India, including work related to maritime security, anti-piracy legislation, shipping laws and legal reforms.
- Patel has authored and edited numerous books and research publications on international law, maritime law, national security and global governance. His work is widely cited in academic and political circles.
- Over the years, he has taught, researched and lectured at universities and institutions in India and abroad, earning a reputation as one of India’s leading experts in the field of international law.
