UNITED NATIONS: In a major development, Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian of India has taken over the command of the United Nations's peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, the largest of its 13 operations.
The operation, known as United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has 13,254 troops among its 17,982 personnel, of whom, 2,385 troops and 30 police personnel are from India.
"It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to serve for sustainable peace in the world's youngest country, South Sudan, by leading diverse military peacekeepers in the world's largest peacekeeping mission," he said in Juba on Monday.
Gen Subramanian was given a guard of honour by troops from India, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Rwanda and Ethiopia as he succeeded another Indian, Lt Gen. Shailesh Tinaikar. He took charge from Major Gen. Main Ullah Chowdhury of Bangladesh, who was the interim commander. Subramanian served as a staff officer with the UN mission in Sierra Leone in 2000; this is his second stint with the organisation. In Central India, Subramanian held the positions of General Officer Commanding, Military Region Operational and Logistic Readiness Zone and Commandant, Defence Services Staff College (DSSC).
A Subramanian, who received his commission in the Corps of Army Air Defence in 1986, has received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal, according to the DSSC.
He has also held positions at the Defence Ministry's Integrated Headquarters as the Additional Director General for Procurement and Equipment Management, General Officer Commanding a Strike Infantry Division, Deputy General Officer Commanding of Infantry Division, and Commander of a Mountain Brigade, according to the UN.
According to the DSSC, he has led both an infantry division in the Eastern Theatre and an air defence regiment in the Desert Sector.
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