New Delhi/ Pune: The Central government has appointed Lt Gen VG Khandare (Retd) as military advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), which is being revamped. On the occasion, Lt Gen Khandare told Sakal Times, “I am happy that I have got another opportunity to serve the nation and feel privileged to have been selected for the tremendous responsibility by the apex level leadership of the nation.”
Following the redesignation of former Chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee RN Ravi as Deputy National Security Advisor last week, the government approved the appointment of Lt Gen VG Khandare (Retd) as Military Advisor to the NSCS. Khandare retired as Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in January this year.
Lt Gen Khandare will be the second military advisor in the history of the NSCS. Lt Gen Prakash Menon (Retd) held the post between 2011 and 2014 under the UPA II government. The post was vacant since then. Now, in the new scheme, the post, a secretary-level appointment, has been revived.
Lt Gen Khandare’s remit will be to keep a track of developments in the militaries around the neighbourhood besides advising the NSCS on military matters across the three armed forces in India.
Lt Gen VG Khandare is an alumnus of Indore Christian College. He joined the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. He served in the Indian Army for nearly four decades and retired from active service in January 2018. Serving in Infantry, he excelled in challenging terrain, sectors, operational roles in Siachen, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and North East region. He was awarded Sena Medal for Gallantry in Kashmir against terrorists.
Recognising his dedication and commitment to the nation in Kashmir he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. For his exemplary performance as Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency he was conferred with Param Vishist Seva Medal.
In Defence Intelligence Agency he utilised the Technical Intelligence. He is an expert on Conventional Operations, Sub Conventional Counter Terrorism Operations, Information Warfare, Conflict Prevention and Peace Keeping Operations. He has first hand experience in Strategic, Operational and Tactical Intelligence generation, fusion, analysis and dissemination.
His knowledge on use of space as force multiplier asset is noteworthy. He is a keen analyst of International World Order, Comprehensive National Security, Defence and Governance Sector. He has been involved in apex level policy proposal analysis and structuring.
