Vice Admiral Shekhar SINHA is a former Commander in Chief of India’s Western Naval Command, responsible for maritime security of Western and South Western Indian Ocean Region. In his task bilateral relations with all maritime nations for strengthening cooperative mechanisms for improving security formed an important part. Western Command is home to major Sea Power Assets of the Navy which includes shore based Maritime Patrol aircraft, submarines, warships like destroyers, frigates, logistics support ships and aircraft carriers.
Earlier, he was also assigned the duties of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, a precursor to CDS. Here he was responsible to the Government for joint perspective planning and force development, joint operations doctrine development, national crisis management, joint training structures, international relations, and advisor to the Govt on acquisitions. In his four decades he has flown over 2600 hrs on fighter jets from various aircraft carriers, commanded air base, four warships, Western Fleet, Naval Aviation, plethora of staff and operational assignments.
He has earned MSc and MPhil degrees in Strategic Studies. He is the recipient of four awards from the President of India including two gallantry awards.
He is intimately associated with a number of think tanks, an expert commentator on maritime security and geopolitical issues. Presently, he is on the governing Council of Indian Council of World Affairs (a Ministry of External Affairs think tank) and Chairs the Trustee Board of India Foundation.