Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 29

Chief of the Navy Admiral Sunil Lanba today was formally handed over the ‘baton’ of the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC). This committee is headed by the senior-most among three service chiefs and participates and decides on all matters relating to joint operations and training.This effectively means that the talks of Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi being elevated as the CoSC to the post stand nullified. Lt Gen Bakshi, despite being the senior-most Army commander was overlooked when the government appointed his junior, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, as the next Army Chief.Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha handed over the ‘baton’ to Admiral Lanba at a ceremony in South Block. The Admiral would, however, be assuming charge as Chairman of CoSC from December 31. The Chief of Army Staff, Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, who also retires from service on December 31, was also present on the occasion.Admiral Lanba, who hails from Palwal (Haryana) assumed command of the Navy on May 31, 2016, retires in May 2019.