Srinagar, May 9 -- Srinagar- The Centre on Saturday appointed retired Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani as India's next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), while Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was named the next Chief of the Naval Staff.

According to an official statement issued by the Defence Ministry, Lt Gen Subramani will take over as the country's senior-most military commander on May 30, succeeding General Anil Chauhan, who is retiring from service.

Vice Admiral Swaminathan, currently heading the Western Naval Command, will assume charge as Navy Chief on May 31, replacing Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.

The government said Lt Gen Subramani will also function as Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs under the Defence Ministry....