New Delhi: Gen Anil Chauhan on Friday became India’s new Chief of Defence Staff. He is the second CDS to take charge, over nine months after the death of former CDS, General Bipin Rawat.
After taking charge the new CDS said, "I’m proud to be assuming the responsibility of the highest rank in the Indian Armed Forces. I will try to fulfill the expectations from the three defence forces as the Chief of Defence Staff. We will tackle all challenges and difficulties together.”
Chauhan received the Guard of Honour at the South Block, and visited the National War Memorial with his father, Surendra Singh Chauhan.
A decorated Army officer, 61-year-old Chauhan will also function as Secretary in the Department of Military Affairs.
The government on Wednesdayhad announced the appointment of Chauhan as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), after the post fell vacant following the death of Gen Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash.
Lt Gen Chauhan (retd) is from the 11 Gorkha Rifles, the same regiment Gen Rawat belonged to.
Gen Chauhan will be the first retired three-star officer to return to service in four-star rank as India’s second Chief of Defence Staff.
After his retirement as the Eastern Army Commander last year, he has been serving as the military adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat headed by NSA Ajit Doval. (with Agency inputs)
