India has achieved another significant milestone in international legal institutions 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.
Congratulations and Support
Congratulating Patel, the mission stated: "Congratulations to Prof. Dr Bimal N Patel for being elected as Judge of the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in New York today. His election takes forward India's enduring commitment to multilateralism and the Law of the Sea." The mission also thanked member states for their support and praised all candidates for their dedication to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Bimal Patel's Background
Patel currently serves as a Member of the UN International Law Commission and chairs its Working Group on Succession of States in respect of State Responsibility. He is also the Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Public International Law at Rashtriya Raksha University. Additionally, he is a member of the National Security Advisory Board under the National Security Council Secretariat in the Prime Minister's Office.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial body established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It adjudicates disputes related to the interpretation and application of the Convention, including maritime boundaries, navigation rights, conservation of marine resources, environmental protection, and marine scientific research.
The tribunal comprises 21 independent judges elected by states that are parties to the Convention. India is already represented in the tribunal's leadership through Vice President Neeru Chadha. With Patel's election, India's presence in this crucial maritime legal institution has been further strengthened.
Who is Bimal Patel?
Bimal Patel is an Indian jurist, academic, and administrator with over 30 years of experience in international law, public policy, legal research, and higher education. He currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Public International Law at Rashtriya Raksha University. His extensive academic background includes a PhD and an LLM in International Law from Leiden University in the Netherlands, a PhD in International Law from Jaipur National University, and a Master's degree in International Relations from the University of Amsterdam. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Anand Agriculture University in Gujarat.
Patel served as the Director and Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) from 2008 to 2019, where he led academic, research, and administrative activities, enhancing the university's national and international profile. He is a Member of the UN International Law Commission and chairs its Working Group on Succession of States in respect of State Responsibility. He has contributed to discussions on maritime law, piracy, international organisations, and dispute settlement.
Patel is also a member of the National Security Advisory Board under the National Security Council Secretariat in the Prime Minister's Office. His professional career includes nearly 15 years with international organisations, including the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, Netherlands, where he worked on legal affairs, treaty implementation, and international cooperation. He has been involved in several important policy and law-making initiatives in India, including 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 policy circles. Over the years, he has taught, researched, and delivered lectures at universities and institutions across India and abroad, establishing himself as one of the country's leading experts in international law.
