Admiral Sureesh Mehta, PVSM, AVSM (born August 18, 1947) served as 19th Chief of the Indian Navy from 31 October 2006 until 31 August 2009. He was succeeded by Nirmal Kumar Verma. He is the first service chief from India's armed forces to be born post Indian Independence. He is married to Maria Teresa Mehta and they have two children.

Sureesh Mehta
Sureesh Mehta interacting with the media on the eve of the Navy Day 2007, in New Delhi
15th Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand
In office
December 2009 – December 2011
Appointed byPresident of India (then, Pratibha Patil)
Preceded byK. P. Ernest
Succeeded byAvanindra K. Pandey
48th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
In office
30 September 2007 – 31 August 2009
PresidentPratibha Patil
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byJoginder Jaswant Singh
Succeeded byDeepak Kapoor
19th Chief of the Naval Staff (India)
In office
31 October 2006 – 31 August 2009
PresidentA. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Pratibha Patil
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byArun Prakash
Succeeded byNirmal Kumar Verma
Personal details
Born (1947-08-18) 18 August 1947 (age 77)
SpouseMaria Teresa Mehta
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Navy
 Indian Coast Guard
Years of service1967 – 2009
Rank Admiral
UnitIndian Naval Air Arm
CommandsEastern Naval Command
Western Fleet
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1971
Operation Lal Dora
Kargil War
Award(s)

Early life

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Admiral Mehta was born on 18 August 1947 at Gurdaspur, Punjab. He studied in the National Defence Academy before joining the Indian Navy. Later, he also graduated from the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College.[citation needed]

Military career

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After graduating, Admiral Mehta joined the Fleet Air Arm of the Indian Navy, where he flew the Hawker Sea Hawk off the aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. He was the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet during the Kargil War. Later, he served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) from 30 September 2005 till his appointment as the Naval Chief. He was appointed the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) on 28 September 2007.

Awards and distinctions

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In 1995, Admiral Mehta was awarded the Ati Vishist Seva Medal. In 2005, he received the Param Vishist Seva Medal.

High Commissioner to New Zealand

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After retirement, the Indian government appointed him as India's High Commissioner to New Zealand.[1][2][3]

Awards and decorations

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Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Samar Seva Star Poorvi Star
Paschimi Star Operation Vijay Medal Special Service Medal Sangram Medal
Meritorious Service Medal Videsh Seva Medal 50th Independence Anniversary Medal 25th Independence Anniversary Medal
30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Admiral Sureesh Mehta is new envoy to New Zealand - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Indian High Commissioner in Lower Hutt". 26 January 2010.
  3. ^ "India warns of fallout over race slurs". 8 October 2010.
Military offices
Preceded by Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
2007- 31 August 2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the Naval Staff
2006–2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by
O P Bansal
Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command
2005-2006
Succeeded by
A K Singh
Preceded by Director General of the Indian Coast Guard
2003 - 2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Madanjit Singh
Chief of Personnel
2002-2003
Succeeded by
Yashwant Prasad
Preceded by
Yashwant Prasad
Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet
1998-2000
Succeeded by
S S Byce
Preceded by
Vinod Pasricha
Flag Officer Goa Area & Flag Officer Naval Aviation
1995 - 1997
Succeeded by
K. V. Bharathan