Admiral Sureesh Mehta, PVSM, AVSM (born August 18, 1947) served as 19th Chief of the Indian Navy from 31 October 2006 until 31 August 2009. He was succeeded by Nirmal Kumar Verma. He is the first service chief from India's armed forces to be born post Indian Independence. He is married to Maria Teresa Mehta, and they have two children.
Admiral Mehta was born on 18 August 1947 at Gurdaspur, Punjab in a Hindu Punjabi Khatri Family. He studied in the National Defence Academy before joining the Indian Navy. Later, he also graduated from the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College.[citation needed]
After graduating, Admiral Mehta joined the Fleet Air Arm of the Indian Navy, where he flew the Hawker Sea Hawk off the aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. He was the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet during the Kargil War. Later, he served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) from 30 September 2005 till his appointment as the Naval Chief. He was appointed the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) on 28 September 2007.
In 1995, Admiral Mehta was awarded the Ati Vishist Seva Medal. In 2005, he received the Param Vishist Seva Medal.
After retirement, the Indian government appointed him as India's High Commissioner to New Zealand.[1][2][3]
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| Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Navy (1947–1948) |  | |
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| Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Navy (1948-1950) | ||
| Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy (1950-1955) | ||
| Chief of the Naval Staff (1955–present) |
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**Seconded from the Royal Navy | ||
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