New Delhi: Lieutenant General Manoj Pande on Saturday took charge as the new Chief of Army Staff, succeeding General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
“General Manoj Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC takes over as the 29th COAS of IndianArmy from General MM Naravane,” ADG PI - Indian Army tweeted.
General Pande is the first officer from the Corps of Engineers to become the Army Chief.
He was earlier the Indian Army’s Vice Chief - a position he assumed in February this year.
Earlier in the day the Indian Army tweeted photographs of General Naravane where he was seen paying his respects at the National War Memorial and receiving a guard of honour on the lawns of South Block.
“General MM Naravane COAS was presented a Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the SouthBlock lawns on the occasion of relinquishing the appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff,” ADG PI - Indian Army tweeted.
General Naravane and his wife also called on President Ram Nath Kovind and First Lady Savita Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
“General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of the Army Staff, along with his wife Smt Veena Naravane, called on President Ram Nath Kovind and First Lady Smt Savita Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan,” the President of India's office tweeted.
General Naravane also called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who wished him success in his future endeavours.
“Wonderful meeting with Army Chief, Gen MM Naravane, who's retiring today after serving the nation for 42 yrs. His contributions as a military leader has strengthened India’s defence capabilities and preparedness. I wish him success in his future endeavours,” Singh wrote on the micro-blogging platform.
Lieutenant General BS Raju will take over as the next Army Vice Chief on May 1.