Post the International Court of Justice (ICJ) panel’s decision to immediately suspend Russian troops’ operations from Ukraine grounds, the Government of India released its uptake on the Indian judge’s vote in the 13-judges panel. The GOI on Thursday called out the decision of Dalveer Bhandari (ICJ Indian member) as to be a vote held in one’s capacity. Among the 13 judges panel, China and Russia were seen to vote against the suspension of the Russian military in Ukraine.
Dalveer Bhandari, before becoming a panelist of ICJ, was a former Supreme Court judge and also former Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He was appointed as a member of ICJ in the year 2017 and the Indian government described his appointment to be a huge diplomatic victory for India.
Arindam Bagchi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, expressed his views on Bhandari’s decision. He called it a decision made under the individual capacity of Bhandari and the vote shared was based on the merits of that. He also added that it is not appropriate to comment on the works and decisions of judges in the ICJ.
Dalveer Bhandari is an Indian and his vote in the UN court is important as it shows India’s stand in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. So far, India has restrained itself from voting on resolutions subjected to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly, and UN Human Rights Council. Although the country has not sentenced Russia for its actions in Ukraine, the government has resolutely remarked on the need to respect international law, principles of sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, the United States has openly welcomed the verdict of the ICJ. The country expressed its clear and undisputable stand against Russia and has asked the Russian government to halt its actions in Ukraine and thereby, put an end to the invasion.
The US Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, was also found commenting recently upon India’s discounted oil purchase from Russia. Psaki, although stating that in no way India is violating sanctions of any such by conducting the purchase, it is leaving a bad remark in the pages of history by supporting an act of invasion which have a devastating impact on the lives of millions.
The statement was countered by India by mentioning the number of countries, especially Europe, who are importing energy from Russia even during the invasion. And since, India’s maximum energy expense is met by the exported oil, the country is open to exploring all possible measures to fulfill its energy market.
