Chief Patron
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd.)
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd.) is a former Commander of Indian Army’s Srinagar Corps, focuses on trans-national and internal conflicts in Asia and the Middle East with particular emphasis on issues revolving around radical Islam. He is the Chancellor of Central University of Kashmir and speaks extensively at Indian and international institutions on a wide variety of subjects revolving around strategic affairs and leadership. He is presently the Governor of Bihar.
Patrons
Vice Admiral Anup Singh, PVSM, AVSM, NM (Retd.)
Vice Admiral Anup Singh, PVSM, AVSM, NM (Retd) is the former Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command. During his distinguished naval career, he commanded four warships, including the Western Fleet during **Operation Sukoon** (2006–07), which evacuated civilians from war-torn Lebanon. His senior appointments included Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, and Assistant Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition. Since retiring in 2011, he has focused on maritime security, maritime economy, China’s maritime strategy, and the Law of the Sea. He is Director of Strategic Studies at the Society for Indian Ocean Studies (SIOS), a member of the Executive Council of MP-IDSA, and author of Blue Waters Ahoy!, a history of the Indian Navy (2001–2010).
Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia, PVSM, AVSM, SM (Retd.)
Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia, PVSM, AVSM, SM (Retd) is the former Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army and former Director of the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies. He played a key role in strengthening operational capabilities, particularly along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC). His distinguished command appointments include a PARA Battalion, Assam Rifles Battalion, Mountain Brigade, Infantry Division, and an operational Corps on the India–China border. A veteran of Operations Rakshak, Vijay (Kargil), Rhino, Falcon, Orchid, All Clear, Hifazat, and Cactus (Maldives), he is a noted strategic thinker, former Colonel of the Parachute Regiment, member of the Shekatkar Committee.
Lt Gen Raj Shukla, PVSM, YSM, SM, ADC (Retd.)
Lieutenant General Raj Shukla, PVSM, YSM, SM (Retd) is a former GOC of ARTRAC with over four decades of distinguished service in the Indian Army across operational, training, and strategic assignments. A combat aviator and noted strategic thinker, he has authored over 100 articles on geopolitics and military affairs and delivered nearly 600 lectures and presentations in India and abroad. He was appointed Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in July 2022. He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), a member of the India Foundation Governing Council, and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the PMML Journal.
 Diptendu Choudhury (Retd) PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM.jpg)
Air Marshal (Dr) Diptendu Choudhury, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd.)
Air Marshal (Dr) Diptendu Choudhury, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd), has flown over 5000 sorties on fighter aircraft, commanded a fighter squadron, two frontline operational fighter bases, and Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) IAF’s TOPGUN School. He led the IAF in three international air exercises, held several important senior leadership appointments, and has been actively involved in evolving IAF’s air warfare operations, strategy, and doctrine formulation. A former Commandant of India’s prestigious National Defence College at New Delhi, he is an alumnus of RCDS, UK, a MA from King’s College London, a M Phil and a PhD. A prolific writer and speaker, he has authored the book ‘Indian Air Power: Contemporary and Future Dynamics’. His second book on ‘Air Power in Joint Warfare: An Indian Perspective’ is under publication.