NEW DELHI: In a major victory for Indian diplomacy, Justice Dalveer Bhandari was re-elected to the Hague - based International Cour t o f Justice ( ICJ ) on Monday, as the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly supported his case forcing the UK to accept the will of the majority and withdraw its candidate Christopher Greenwood for the post.The withdrawal of candidate was also a setback of sorts for the UN Security Council which had backed the UK’s candidate, persons familiar with the process said. The UN Security Council’s permanent members have traditionally had a judge in the ICJ, considering it to be a matter of right. This time the 193-member UN General Assembly asserted itself, forcing the Security Council to concede, according to one of the persons quoted above.The UK said it is withdrawing its candidature keeping in mind its good and growing ties with India. Bhandari’s victory has also paved way for India’s wider role in the Commonwealth which has been dominated by the UK so far.Diplomats at the UN, New York, has described India’s victory as a reflection of reality of the 21st century. “Vande Matram — India wins election to the International Court of Justice . Jai Hind,” foreign minister Sushma Swaraj has tweeted. “I am grateful to all the nations who have supported me. It was a big election as you know,” Bhandari told news agency IANS in the UN General Assembly chamber in New York.Hailing Bhandari’s re-election, PM Modi termed it as a proud moment and credited Swaraj and her ministry officials for their efforts in ensuring his success. “India welcomes the election of Judge Dalveer Bhandari to the International Court of Justice when the UN General Assembly and UN Security Council convened independently in New York on November 20, 2017, to fill the fifth vacancy for the 2018-2027 term.The UN Security Council and the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in support of India. Judge Dalveer Bhandari received all 15 votes in the UN Security Council and 183 out of the 193 votes in the UN General Assembly,” MEA said in a statement.The extraordinary support from the UN membership is reflective of the respect for strong constitutional integrity of the Indian polity and the independence of the judiciary in India, an MEA spokesperson said.