Bimal Patel elected ITLOS judge, India retains tribunal seat in Hamburg
Synopsis
India will not lose a single day of representation on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea — Bimal Patel's election with 115 votes ensures a seamless handover from outgoing Vice President Neeru Chadha in September. The win, secured after a year-long diplomatic campaign at the UN, signals India's sharpening focus on multilateral maritime institutions as Indo-Pacific disputes intensify.
Key Takeaways
Bimal Patel was elected a judge of ITLOS on 19 June , receiving 115 of 168 valid votes at the UNCLOS States Parties meeting in New York .
He will join the tribunal in September 2025 , succeeding Neeru Chadha , currently Vice President of ITLOS, whose nine-year term ends then.
Patel serves on the UN International Law Commission and is Vice Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University, Gujarat ; he holds PhDs from Leiden University and Jaipur National University .
Both Asian seats went to India and Vietnam ; Thailand's sitting judge lost re-election and Indonesia withdrew its candidate.
External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar publicly congratulated Patel on X , thanking UNCLOS member states for their support.
The ITLOS in Hamburg, Germany has 21 judges and rules on international maritime disputes.
Bimal Patel of India has been elected a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), ensuring uninterrupted Indian representation on the Hamburg-based court as incumbent judge Neeru Chadha completes her nine-year term in September 2025. Patel secured 115 votes out of 168 valid votes cast at the thirty-sixth meeting of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), held in New York on 19 June.
Who Is Bimal Patel
Bimal Patel is an international jurist currently serving on the UN's International Law Commission and as Vice Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University in Gujarat. He holds PhDs in International Law from Leiden University in the Netherlands and Jaipur National University, and is also a member of the National Security Advisory Board of the National Security Council Secretariat. He is set to join the tribunal in September 2025.
How the Election Unfolded
Of the seven ITLOS seats up for election this year, two were allocated to the Asian region. Patel and Vietnam's Nguyen Lan-Anh Thi claimed both Asian seats. Thailand's Kriangsak Kittichaisaree, a sitting judge whose term expires this year, lost his re-election bid, while Indonesia withdrew its candidate before polling. The election was conducted among 172 UNCLOS States Parties. Indian diplomats had been actively campaigning at the United Nations since last year to secure Patel's election.
What India's Leadership Said
India's UN Mission stated that Patel's election 'takes forward India's enduring commitment to multilateralism and Law of the Sea.' External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar congratulated Patel on his X handle, writing: 'Congratulations Dr. Bimal Patel! Sincerely thank UNCLOS member states for their support.'
Why This Matters for India
The ITLOS, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, comprises 21 judges who adjudicate disputes over seas, oceans, and the interpretation of international maritime law. India's continued presence on the bench is significant at a time when maritime boundary disputes — particularly in the Indo-Pacific — are increasingly being tested in international forums. Notably, Neeru Chadha currently serves as Vice President of the tribunal, making India's outgoing contribution at the court particularly prominent. Patel's election ensures that institutional knowledge and India's strategic maritime interests remain represented without a gap.
What Comes Next
Patel will formally assume his position at ITLOS in September 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of Chadha's term. His dual expertise in international law and national security is expected to inform India's approach to multilateral maritime governance in the years ahead.
Point of View
Having a trusted jurist on ITLOS's 21-member bench is a quiet but consequential asset. The seamless transition from Neeru Chadha — who leaves as Vice President — also reflects the depth of India's investment in multilateral legal institutions, an area where New Delhi has historically punched below its weight. The real test will be whether Patel's tenure translates into a more assertive Indian posture on maritime law, or remains symbolic presence.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bimal Patel and why was he elected to ITLOS?
Bimal Patel is an Indian international jurist, UN International Law Commission member, and Vice Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University in Gujarat. He was elected a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on 19 June at the UNCLOS States Parties meeting in New York, receiving 115 of 168 valid votes after a year-long Indian diplomatic campaign at the UN.
When will Bimal Patel join the ITLOS tribunal?
Bimal Patel is set to join ITLOS in September 2025, when outgoing judge Neeru Chadha completes her nine-year term. Chadha currently serves as Vice President of the tribunal.
What is ITLOS and where is it based?
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is a Hamburg, Germany-based international court with 21 judges that adjudicates disputes over seas, oceans, and the interpretation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Which other Asian countries contested the ITLOS election?
Two Asian seats were up for election. India's Bimal Patel and Vietnam's Nguyen Lan-Anh Thi won both. Thailand's Kriangsak Kittichaisaree, a sitting judge, lost his re-election bid, and Indonesia withdrew its candidate before the vote.
What did External Affairs Minister Jaishankar say about Patel's election?
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar congratulated Patel on X, writing: 'Congratulations Dr. Bimal Patel! Sincerely thank UNCLOS member states for their support.' India's UN Mission also stated the election advances India's commitment to multilateralism and the Law of the Sea.
