Special Initiatives

A distinguished Special Forces veteran with 37 years of exemplary service in the Indian Armed Forces, including leadership experience of operationalising of India’s first integrated Tri-Services Special Forces Division. He brings a unique and subtle combination of combat operational experience, diplomacy, strategic foresight and policy-oriented leadership to the domain of neighbourhood and regional studies. A spiritual scholar warrior, with a reputation of ‘Out of box’ thinking and executing original ideas & strategies his expertise covers special operations, counter proxy war and defence diplomacy. His career has been defined by high-impact command appointments, cross-border operational exposure, defence cooperation and strategic engagement in sensitive geopolitical environments. He has commanded elite formations and institutions, including the Army’s Special Forces Division, Infantry Division on the Western Front, and Independent Parachute Brigade, besides serving as Defence Adviser in Bangladesh. His extensive operational experience includes active deployment in Maldives under Operation CACTUS and as part of United Nations mission UNAVEM in Angola, providing him with first-hand understanding of regional security dynamics, conflict environments and multilateral engagement. Recognised for his ability to conceptualise and execute strategic initiatives, he combines military acumen with deep understanding of regional geopolitics, security cooperation, and leadership management. As Convenor for Neighbourhood Studies, he would be driving CDF initiatives on informed policy dialogue, strategic research and actionable frameworks aimed at strengthening India’s regional engagement, security partnerships and neighbourhood connectivity.