The new Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, takes charge -

New Delhi: General Anil Chauhan has taken over as the country’s second Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) after General Bipin Rawat. On this occasion, General Chauhan assured that he would unitedly strive to fulfil the aspirations of the three defence forces and overcome the challenges. Gen. Anil Chauhan is known as a skilled fighter with experience of deployment on the borders of Pakistan and China. He has also served as a military advisor to the National Security Council (NSC). Strategic analysts claim that General Chauhan’s experience will significantly benefit building a unified Theater Command of the Indian Defence Forces.

General Chauhan’s most significant responsibility is believed to be erecting the theatre command of the Indian Defence Forces. The unified theatre command was prepared when General Rawat was the Chief of Defence Forces. This process will become more rapid after General Chauhan becomes the Chief of Defence Staff. Worldwide, there have been considerable changes in warfare techniques and the functioning of the defence forces with the changing times. Accordingly, there was a great need to increase coordination and cooperation between the Army, Navy and Air Force.

It was only after the Kargil war that it was concluded that there was a need for a unified theatre command comprising all three defence forces. There had been unanimity in the last few years over this decision. Accordingly, the unified theatre command is being developed, which will substantially reduce the additional expenditure of the defence forces on a single thing. This will lead to more effective use of means and resources. Moreover, the coordination and communication between the three defence forces will be maintained while making moves against the enemy. There are claims that this will make it easier for defence forces to take strong action against the enemy. Defence forces would hugely benefit from this in the future. Strategic analysts are confident that this will further strengthen the country’s security. Hence, there are claims that General Anil Chauhan has been selected as the Chief of Defence Force to speed up this process.

Anil Chauhan retired from the post of Eastern Army Commander in May last year. He later served as military assistant to the National Security Adviser. General Anil Chauhan is recognised as an expert on China. Gen. Anil Chauhan contributed significantly to the changes in the Indian Army’s China policy after the Galwan conflict in Ladakh.