Pakistan-China expert Lieutenant General Subramani named the next CDS; Lieutenant General Swaminathan will be the new naval commander

New Delhi: Expert Pakistan and China, Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (retd) has been appointed as the country’s next Chief of Defense Staff (CDS). The Indian government also appointed Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the next Commander of the Indian Navy. Lieutenant General Subramani will replace CDS General Anil Chauhan, whose term ends on May 30, while Lieutenant General Swaminathan will replace General Dinesh K. Tripathi, who will retire on May 31.Currently, Lieutenant General Subramani serves as the Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat. His priority is to implement an ambitious theater-based model aimed at achieving tri-service synergy through the launch of an integrated military command.Prior to assuming his current post, Lieutenant General Subramani served as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff from July 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025, and as the Commander-in-Chief, Central Command, from March 2023 to June 2024. During a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years, Lieutenant General Subramani served in various conflicts and terrains and held numerous command, staff and guidance positions. He commanded II Corps, the Army’s primary strike force on the Western Front. He also commanded 16 Garhwal Rifles in Operation Rhino, 168 Infantry Brigade in J&K and 17 Mountain Division in the Central Region during counter-insurgency operations in Assam.Lieutenant General Subramani is a graduate of the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Bracknell, UK, and the National Defense College, New Delhi. He holds a master’s degree from King’s College London and a master’s degree in defense studies from the University of Madras. He has a deep knowledge and deep understanding of the operational dynamics on the western and northern borders. For his distinguished services, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.Vice Admiral Swaminathan is currently serving as Commander-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. As chief of naval staff, he is likely to focus on ongoing modernization of the force. A recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal, the next Admiral has held several key operational, staff and training posts during his naval career, including commanding the guided missile ships INS Vidyut and Vinash, the guided missile frigate INS Kulish; the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. He was also instrumental in forming the Indian Naval Security Cell, which oversees operational security across all verticals of the Navy.After promotion to Rear Admiral, he served as Chief of Staff (Training), Southern Naval Command Headquarters, Cochin and played a key role in training across the Indian Navy. After promotion to Vice Admiral, the officer served as Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, Director of Personnel Services and Chief of Personnel at National Headquarters.Swaminathan holds a bachelor’s degree from Jinan University and a master’s degree in telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology. in Defense Studies from King’s College London and a PhD in International Studies from the University of Mumbai.