US congrats Bhandari on re-election to ICJ

Washington, Nov 22: The US Government has congratulated Justice Dalveer Bhandari of India for his re-election to the ICJ, saying it was open to the idea of modest expansion of the 15-member body.

"We congratulate Judge Dalveer Bhandari of India for his re-election to the International Court of Justice, as well as the other candidates who were elected or re-elected...," the State Department spokesperson said. "... Judge Bhandari received the unanimous support of the UNSC and an absolute majority in the UN General Assembly for his re-election to the ICJ," the spokesperson said. As regards the Security Council expansion, the spokesperson said: "The United States remains open in principle to the idea of UN Security Council reform, including a modest expansion of the Security Council." "We believe a reformed council must reflect the realities of the 21st century and be able to meet the challenges of this century with enhanced -- and not diminished -- effectiveness and efficiency. To this end, we remain opposed to any alteration or expansion of the veto, the spokesperson told. UNI