As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) provides a judicial mechanism for the peaceful resolution of international disputes. In this context, throw light on the challenges it faces in fulfilling its mandate.

ICJ is a general mechanism of the UN under Jurisdiction revising around countries & not individuals. Structure of the ICJ: 1. The ICJ consists of 15 judges nominated by member countries elected through a rigorous process. 2. The decisions are binding, however no mechanism of enforcement is present. 3. There is no provision for making appeals. 4. India was a founder member & also took the issue of Pakistan to get fair judgment. Mandate of ICJ: 1. Maintain peace & follow principles of natural justice. 2. Settle global order based on rules & UN charter.

Challenges in achieving mandate: 1. Heavy influence of permanent 5 that adjudicate functioning ICJ US interfering in India Pakistan matter 2. Lack of enforcement mechanism 3. Lack of permanent judges & presence of vacancies. Hence, the wider need to wake up to the insolence of war & echo our PM's sentiment - 'No relation lies on the battlefield, sir in discussion'.