Manohar Parrikar needs to find new Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses chief

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has to not only expedite requests for procurement by the country's armed forces but also appoint the Director-General of premier state-run think tank Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses ( IDSA), which has been headless since August. Since former D-G Arvind Gupta was appointed Dy NSA, the defence ministry has not been able to appoint a chief.

However, official sources indicated the process has finally begun after applications for the post has been received from many ex-diplomats and officers of the armed forces. The list includes ex-envoy to Afghanistan and Nepal Rakesh Sood and ex-high commissioner in South Africa Virendra Gupta, sources indicated.

Ex-envoy to Nepal and Afghanistan Jayant Prasad could also be in the running, as per some sources. Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, Vice-Admiral Anup Singh (Retd), former Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and Air Marshal (retired) M Matheswaran are also in race from the pool of armed forces. Deputy Director General of IDSA Brig (retd.) Rumel Dahiya, Lt Gen (retd.) Y M Bammi is also in the reckoning, sources indicated.