A stellar career from defence to diplomacy
His Excellency the High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, Admiral (Retd) Sureesh Mehta took office in Wellington in early December last year. He presented his credentials to Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand on December 9.
India’s newest High Commissioner to New Zealand, Admiral (Retd) Sureesh Mehta, was born on August 18, 1947 – just three days after India won her independence.
Always interested in a career in the defence forces, he was commissioned in the Indian Navy at the age of 20, in 1967. He is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy.
Two years later, he qualified as a fighter pilot and joined the Naval Air Arm, extensively flying Seahawk jet fighters from the Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant, going on to hold numerous appointments in the frontline fighter squadrons of the Indian Navy.
In January 1979 he was selected to undergo the Defence Service Staff College, Wellington (India) and graduated with the Directing Staff grading and a Master of Science degree in Defence Studies. Later, he carried out instructional duties at the same Institute as also in a staff college abroad, a very coveted appointment to a defence service officer.
Between the years 1982 and 1989, he commanded INS Beas with distinction, followed by several other operation appointments. He also had the distinction of commanding one of the premier Naval Air Stations of the Navy – INS Garuda. During his tenure, major tactical innovations were put into place for early operationalisation of new acquisitions, with a major thrust on utilisation of simulators to optimise flying skills.
He also commanded the indigenously built frigate INS Godavari, soon thereafter.
Between May 1991 and June 1993, he served as Director of Naval Air Staff where he was instrumental in steering various projects concerning naval aviation assets as well as personnel policies. In view of his superior performance both in the staff and operational arena, he was selected as Executive Assistant by the then Chief of Naval Staff.
Between 1995 and 1997, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area and Flag Officer Naval Aviation. During this appointment he used his extensive experience as an aviator to improve various facets of air operations. Large-scale improvements were effected in operational facilities for new inductions, leading to improvements in the overall operational efficiency of Naval Aviation through higher professional skills. Throughout, his proactive grassroot level multi disciplinary approach ensured the achievement of organisational goals and targets.
The next year until the turn of the millennium he commanded the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy, a coveted operational appointment, following which he held a number of important and sensitive positions in the naval establishment.
In 2005 he was chosen to head the Navy’s Operations Branch as the Deputy Chief of the Indian Navy.
The next year, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, which is when he visited New Zealand during in June 2006 on an Indian Navy ship.
In November 2006 he achieved the highest position: Chief of Naval Staff which he held until his retirement in August 2009.
As the senior-most Service Chief, he was also the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee for much of his tenure as the Naval Chief. He was the first post-independence born Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.
During his distinguished service of over 42 years, his distinction and devotion to duty was acknowledged with the award of AVSM (Ati Vishisht Seva Medal) in the rank of Rear Admiral and the highest award for distinguished service PVSM (Param Vishisht Seva Medal) as Vice Admiral.
His Excellency the High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, Admiral (Retd) Sureesh Mehta took office in Wellington in early December last year. He presented his credentials to Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand on December 9. India’s newest High Commissioner to New Zealand, Admiral (Retd)...
His Excellency the High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, Admiral (Retd) Sureesh Mehta took office in Wellington in early December last year. He presented his credentials to Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand on December 9.
India’s newest High Commissioner to New Zealand, Admiral (Retd) Sureesh Mehta, was born on August 18, 1947 – just three days after India won her independence.
Always interested in a career in the defence forces, he was commissioned in the Indian Navy at the age of 20, in 1967. He is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy.
Two years later, he qualified as a fighter pilot and joined the Naval Air Arm, extensively flying Seahawk jet fighters from the Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant, going on to hold numerous appointments in the frontline fighter squadrons of the Indian Navy.
In January 1979 he was selected to undergo the Defence Service Staff College, Wellington (India) and graduated with the Directing Staff grading and a Master of Science degree in Defence Studies. Later, he carried out instructional duties at the same Institute as also in a staff college abroad, a very coveted appointment to a defence service officer.
Between the years 1982 and 1989, he commanded INS Beas with distinction, followed by several other operation appointments. He also had the distinction of commanding one of the premier Naval Air Stations of the Navy – INS Garuda. During his tenure, major tactical innovations were put into place for early operationalisation of new acquisitions, with a major thrust on utilisation of simulators to optimise flying skills.
He also commanded the indigenously built frigate INS Godavari, soon thereafter.
Between May 1991 and June 1993, he served as Director of Naval Air Staff where he was instrumental in steering various projects concerning naval aviation assets as well as personnel policies. In view of his superior performance both in the staff and operational arena, he was selected as Executive Assistant by the then Chief of Naval Staff.
Between 1995 and 1997, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area and Flag Officer Naval Aviation. During this appointment he used his extensive experience as an aviator to improve various facets of air operations. Large-scale improvements were effected in operational facilities for new inductions, leading to improvements in the overall operational efficiency of Naval Aviation through higher professional skills. Throughout, his proactive grassroot level multi disciplinary approach ensured the achievement of organisational goals and targets.
The next year until the turn of the millennium he commanded the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy, a coveted operational appointment, following which he held a number of important and sensitive positions in the naval establishment.
In 2005 he was chosen to head the Navy’s Operations Branch as the Deputy Chief of the Indian Navy.
The next year, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, which is when he visited New Zealand during in June 2006 on an Indian Navy ship.
In November 2006 he achieved the highest position: Chief of Naval Staff which he held until his retirement in August 2009.
As the senior-most Service Chief, he was also the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee for much of his tenure as the Naval Chief. He was the first post-independence born Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.
During his distinguished service of over 42 years, his distinction and devotion to duty was acknowledged with the award of AVSM (Ati Vishisht Seva Medal) in the rank of Rear Admiral and the highest award for distinguished service PVSM (Param Vishisht Seva Medal) as Vice Admiral.
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