On 4 July 2005, the IISS hosted a Special Round Table Discussion with Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Western Naval Command, Indian Navy. Vice Admiral Singh spoke on 'Trends in Asia's Maritime Security Environment: Implications for the Indian Navy'. The Round Table Discussion was chaired by Mr Alex Nicoll, Director of Defence Analysis and Publications; Senior Fellow for Defence Industry and Procurement.
Admiral Madanjit Singh commands India's largest - and most prestigious - operational command of the navy. With HQ in Mumbai, Western Naval Command operates a multidimensional force, including an aircraft carrier, surface warships, carrier & shore-based aircraft, and diesel-electric submarines.
Admiral Madanjit Singh was appointed FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command, in October 2003. Earlier, he was FOC-in-C, Southern Naval (Training) Command, Chief of Personnel at Naval HQ, Director General, Defence Planning Staff, MoD, and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations). In 2001, Admiral Singh headed the organisation responsible for implementing India's first defence reform, following the report of the Group of Ministers earlier that year. He was also Member Secretary of the Indian government's Task Force on Defence Management in May 2000.
A specialist in gunnery and missiles, Admiral Madanjit Singh has commanded a number of principal surface combatants, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. In 1980-83, he led the Indian navy team in Nigeria in setting up an Officers Training Academy at Port Harcourt. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Pune, the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, and the National Defence College in New Delhi, Admiral Singh was commissioned into the Indian navy in January 1966.
