Vice Admiral (Dr.) Anil Kumar CHAWLA (Retd.), last served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Navy’s (IN) Southern Command, retiring from active duty in November 2021. He has commanded five warships, including an aircraft carrier and the IN’s Western Fleet. He also headed the IN’s Foreign Cooperation, Planning, Operations and Human Resources departments. He completed his M.A. (Defence Studies) from London University and his Ph.D. from Bombay University. An accomplished maritime thinker and author, he has drafted India’s Maritime Strategy and other key policy documents. After retirement he is an Adjunct Professor at the Rashtriya Raksha University, India, and is on the board of several prominent think tanks. He is also a Consultant on Maritime Security with the International Maritime Organisation. His book, “Maritime Power in China’s Grand Strategy” was published by Routledge in December 2024.