India amends rules to appoint retiring army chief as first Chief of Defence Staff

Move comes as Modi-led government faces internal troubles over controversial anti-Muslim bill

India on Monday named Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, who is retiring on Dec 31 (tomorrow), as its first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Indian media reported on Monday.

According to The Economic Times, the CDS will be a four-star general and principal military advisor to the defence minister.

The position-holder will head the newly-constituted department of military affairs which is tasked to ensure “jointness in training, logistics and procurement of the three services” ie army, navy and air force.

According to the paper, India’s defence ministry recently amended the army, navy and air force rules by bringing in a clause that allows CDS to serve up to the maximum age of 65.

The existing rules state that an army chief has a three-year tenure or up to the age of 62.

The move comes amid high tensions within the Indian territory due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s controversial decisions, including the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution which provided special autonomy to Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

India has also imposed an information and communication blackout in the occupied region, and more recently passed the anti-Muslim Citizens Amendment Act 2019.

The situation along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan is also tumultuous with multiple ceasefire violations from the Indian sides. Gen Rawat has experience working along the LoC.

Gen Rawat, a counterinsurgency specialist, succeeded General Dalbir Singh Suhaag. His appointment raised eyebrows among opposition parties because he was given the job ahead of two more senior candidates.

The appointment was also questioned by Communist Party of India leader D Raja, but a spokesman for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it was not a matter for political debate.

Indian media reported that it was the first time since 1983 that the most senior candidate had not been chosen to replace an outgoing army chief.

(With additional input from Reuters)