The appointment of Anil Chauhan, a retired lieutenant general, as India’s new Chief of Defence Staff has come not a day too soon.
It’s almost nine months since the country’s first CDS, General Bipin Rawat, tragically died in a helicopter crash. In the meantime, the Narendra Modi government amended the Service Rules, allowing even retired generals to be considered for CDS if they weren’t yet over the age limit of 62. Chauhan was already considered a strong contender for CDS owing to his 40-year experience, including his stint as the army’s eastern command chief and his current role as military advisor to the National Security Advisor, but the rule change brightened his chances of elevation to the top post. What’s more, he ticked a pair of important boxes – expertise on China and counterinsurgency experience in Kashmir and Northeast India.
