New Delhi, Sep 29: The government on Wednesday appointed Lt-General Anil Chauhan, a known China expert who retired as the Eastern Army Command chief in May last year, as the country’s next chief of defence staff (CDS). He is expected to assume charge as CDS on Friday, September 30.
Lt-Gen Chauhan, currently serving as the military advisor to national security advisor Ajit Doval and the National Security Council Secretariat, will now have to spearhead the entire process to build an integrated war-fighting machinery.
In a statement released by the Defence Ministry, it is confirmed that Anil Chauhan will be the next CDS.
“Govt of India appoints Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) who will also function as Secretary to Government of India, Department of Military Affairs,” the defence ministry statement read.
Born on May 18, 1961, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He commanded an Infantry Division in the Baramula sector in the Northern Command in the rank of Major General.
In a career spanning over nearly 40 years, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan had held several command, staff and instrumental appointments and had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the northeast.
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