New Delhi, Oct 20 : The government Tuesday announced the appointment of former Indian Navy chief Sureesh Mehta as India's new high commissioner to New Zealand.

Admiral Mehta is expected to take up his assignment shortly, the external affairs ministry said here.

Mehta took over as chief of the naval staff (CNS) Oct 31, 2006, from Admiral Arun Prakash. He retired Aug 31 this year.(IANS)

New Delhi, Aug. 27 : Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta, who is due to retire on August 31, today said that the Pokhran nuclear tests conducted in 1998 were successful, and dismissed claims made by senior DRDO scientist K Santhanam to the contrary.

The Navy Chief said that India maintains a credible nuclear deterrence and “we follow no first strike capability.”

Admiral Mehta came out strongly against DRDO scientist Santhanam’s assertions on the country’s nuclear might that would have the world believe that India’s nuke tests in
1998 were not successful.

New Delhi, Aug 8 : Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta, said on Saturday that there was nothing to panic and the investigation of crewmembers of the North Korean ship detained by the Coast Guard near Andaman and Nicobar is lands is still going on.

Admiral Mehta clarified that no suspicious thing has been found on the ship so far. He, however, added that the agencies were still searching the vessel.

The Indian Coast Guard detained a suspicious North Korean ship with 39 crewmembers on board late on Friday in the Indian Ocean.

Visakhapatnam, May 19: After keeping in mind the safety and protection of civilians in Sri Lanka, Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta on Tuesday said that the Navy was ready to help in resolving the situation as a humanitarian issue.

Mehta further said that the civilians who are fleeing from the battle zone would be escorted and moved out to a safe area by the Indian Navy.

Visakhapatnam, May 19: Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta on Tuesday commissioned Indian Navy's fifth Landing Ship Tank (Large) `Airavat' here.

On the occasion, Mehta said the Airavat would augment the operational capabilities and reach of the Eastern Naval Command, in addition to enhancing the amphibious and disaster relief potential of the fleet.

Airavat, previously known as Yard 3016, was christened and launched by Maria Teresa Mehta in Kolkata on March 27 2006.

New Delhi, Mar 3 : Visiting chief of Singapore defence forces Lieutenant General Desmond Kuek called on Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta here today to discuss ways to bolster military cooperation between the two countries.

After signing pact with India that allows the armed forces of Singapore to train on Indian territory, both countries are all set to expand their bilateral and military ties.

The five-year- bilateral cooperation signed between India and Singapore will see India playing regular host for Singapore armed forces, while Singapore in turn, will allow access to Indian military training facilities.

New Delhi, Feb 18 : Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, on Wednesday warned that nuclear weapons could be smuggled into the country in cargo containers via the sea route.

Addressing a conference on port sector development and security in New Delhi on Wednesday, Admiral Mehta said; "Today about
70 to 75 percent of global cargo is containerized. It has been acknowledged widely that cargo containers are the most likely means for a terrorist organisation to illegally transport a nuclear weapon."

Mumbai , Jan 22 : Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta, believes the Mumbai attacks could not have been carried out without indirect support from "professional organisations" in Pakistan.

"Of course, there is indirect support..... some professional organisations could be involved," said Admiral Mehta in Mumbai on Thursday after commissioning the Navy's first helicopter base, INS Shikra.

"How do you learn to be doing what you are doing? How do you get the infrastructure you need for this kind of thing?" the Navy chief asked.

New Delhi, Dec 2 : Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta has admitted to ''systemic failure'' in last weeks Mumbai terror attacks.

Addressing a news conference in New Delhi today, Admiral Mehta said, a lacuna did exist in country''s coastal security and intelligence mechanisms.

"It is a serious issue, a serious matter, the issue of security. There is a systemic failure and it needs to be taken stock of," said Admiral Mehta.

New Delhi, Oct 8 : Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta on Wednesday said the Indian Navy is ready to take on the Somalian pirates who have kidnapped 18 Indian sailors, but is awaiting the Ministry of Defence’s decision on the issue.

New Delhi, Oct 6 : Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta today said that he expected the Pranab Mukherjee-led ministerial committee, which is looking into the anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission concerning the armed forces, to give its recommendations within a fortnight.

Admiral Mehta rubbished reports that Defence Minister A K Antony had censured him for his defiance over the Pay Commission report.

New Delhi, Sept 30 : The ''Joint Doctrine for Special Forces Operations'' was formally unveiled here today by the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Sureesh Mehta.

Authored by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staffs, Doctrine Branch, the document covers the organisational set up and special characteristics of the Special Forces, and highlights their suitability for various roles, ranging from strategic and operational level tasks to unconventional warfare and counter insurgency or counter terrorism tasks.

Kochi, Sep 19 : Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta today said that the country''s “adversaries” are resorting to asymmetric form of warfare, targeting arsenals and called for eternal vigil to protect sensitive installations.

“Our adversaries are increasingly resorting to asymmetric forms of warfare and these include attacks on sensitive establishments in peace,” he said after inaugurating the Golden Jubilee celebration of Naval Armament Depot at nearby Aluva.

Kochi, Sept 17 : Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Sureesh Mehta will arrive at Southern Naval Command in Kochi today.

The Admiral would be received at INS Zamorin, Ezhimala by Vice Admiral Sunil K Damle, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Naval Command.

On completion of a review of the important Naval Academy project there, Admiral Mehta would arrive in Kochi on Thursday afternoon, where he would be briefed on the various developmental and operational activities of Southern Naval Command.

The Navy Chief will address the officers of Southern Naval Command on September 19 after which he is slated to visit Cochin Ship Yard Limited.

New Delhi,
Sept 9 : Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval
Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta released the “Joint Doctrine for Amphibious
Operations” in New Delhi today.

New Delhi, Sept 9 : Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta released the "Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations" in New Delhi today.

The doctrine is meant to serve as a guideline on how armed forces intend to plan and conduct these operations and achieve full synergistic effect of joint combat power. It lays down the commonality between the three services, for the smooth conduct of amphibious operations.

Mumbai, May 6 : To deliberate upon major operational issues pertaining to the Nation’s defence, a Naval Commanders' Conference will be held at the Western Naval Command Headquarters' here between May 7 and 9.