JOIN USAir Chief Marshal Arup Raha on Wednesday became the new chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee, a post occupied by India’s senior-most military officer, who advises the government and ensures jointsmanship in the armed forces.
The Air Force chief took over from Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh, who will retire on July 31, paving the way for Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag to become the Chief of Army Staff for the next 30 months.
Raha would occupy the high office for the longest period, eclipsing the two other service chiefs – Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan and Gen Suhag – who would not get an opportunity to become the chairman, Chief of Staff Committee under normal circumstances.
Both Raha and Suhag are slated to retire in December, 2016. The former fighter pilot got such a long tenure due to the sudden resignation of former Navy Chief Admiral D K Joshi in February, after a series of mishaps involving naval warships
One of the tasks for Raha would be to push for the creation of three new tri-services commands on Space, Cyber and Special Operations. The proposal to create the three new formations has been with the government for quite some time and deliberations are being held between all stakeholders for an early decision.