Birla, MBZ discuss ties

Indian jurist Bimal Patel has taken oath as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg…reports Asian Lite News Desk Indian international jurist Bimal Patel has been sworn in as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), beginning a nine-year term at the maritime law tribunal in Hamburg. Patel took the oath of office on Thursday, succeeding Neeru Chadha, whose term ended on Wednesday. His appointment continues India’s representation on the tribunal, which adjudicates disputes concerning the seas and oceans and interprets international maritime law. Patel was elected to the tribunal last year by countries that have acceded to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He secured 115 of the 168 valid votes cast in the election held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. At the time of his election, Patel was a member of the UN International Law Commission and vice chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University in Gujarat. He has also served in several other positions, including as a member of the National Security Advisory Board of the National Security Council Secretariat.