India, May 9 -- Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani has been appointed as India's next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), with the government assigning him the key responsibility of implementing the ambitious military theatreisation plan and strengthening tri-services synergy.

The retired Army officer will succeed General Anil Chauhan, who completes his tenure as the country's senior-most military commander on May 30.

Currently serving as the Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Lt Gen Subramani is widely regarded as an expert on Pakistan and China-related strategic affairs.

The Ministry of Defence announced that he will also function as Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs alongside his role as CDS.

One of...