India gets re-elected to IMO council

(London) [United Kingdom], Dec.2 (ANI): India has won huge by bagging second largest number of votes enabling it to re-enter the council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the next two years.

India secured 144 votes from the member countries while Germany bagged 146.

The council of IMO plays a crucial role in global shipping industry and in determining its working mechanism and setting budget.

"India enters the IMO Council under category B having won 144 votes, the second highest in the category. A proud moment for the country," Indian High Commissioner to the U.K., Y. K. Sinha, who represented the nation at the assembly, had tweeted right after the results were out.

The diplomat threw light on the diligence put forth for accomplishing such a big win.

Sinha said efforts led by him and country's missions abroad aided in overcoming the reluctance of large number of nations who supported India in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) elections and were initially inclined to give support to others in the IMO elections.

"Personal intervention with Heads of Delegations in last two days paid rich dividends," the diplomat added.

Sinha also mentioned that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's presence at the IMO Assembly meeting earlier in the week also helped in the same.

In his address to the IMO in London earlier this week, Gadkari said India was putting forward its candidature for a re-election to the IMO to represent developing countries and those with the largest interests in international sea borne trade.

Gadkari also took to Twitter to express the happiness over win.

"Elated to share that India's campaign at highest level has ensured the seat at Category-B (States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade) of @IMOHQ council by securing 144 votes, 2nd after Germany(146). A proud moment for the country !," he tweeted.

The other countries to make the cut included France (140), Canada (138), Spain (137), Brazil (131), Sweden (129), The Netherlands (124) and the UAE (115).(ANI)