Distinguished Fellows
A distinguished community of naval leaders, diplomats, administrators, strategists and public-policy practitioners whose experience enriches the National Maritime Foundation’s research, dialogue and strategic thought.
Fellows Nine perspectives · One maritime vision
Experience at the highest level, placed in service of maritime thought.
NMF’s Distinguished Fellows represent a collective reservoir of command experience, strategic judgement, diplomatic statecraft, technological insight and public-service leadership that strengthens the Foundation’s work across the maritime domain.
Admiral Karambir Singh
PVSM, AVSM, IN (Retd) · 24th Chief of the Naval Staff · Former Chairman, National Maritime Foundation
India’s 24th Chief of the Naval Staff and a former Chairman of the National Maritime Foundation, Admiral Karambir Singh brings more than four decades of naval service spanning naval aviation, frontline command, senior operational leadership and the development of the Indian Navy’s future capabilities.
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Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar
PVSM, AVSM, VSM, IN (Retd) · Former Vice Chief of the Naval Staff · Former National Maritime Security Coordinator
A former Vice Chief of the Naval Staff and India’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator, Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar brings nearly four decades of naval experience, together with extensive leadership in maritime security, operational coordination and national-level maritime governance.
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Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru
PVSM, AVSM, NM, IN (Retd) · Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff
A submarine and navigation specialist and former Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru brings extensive experience in submarine operations, advanced underwater warfare, strategic-force appointments and senior naval command.
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Admiral Jayantha Perera
RWP, VSV, USP, ndu, psc · Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy
The 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy brings thirty-seven years of military experience and a deeply regional understanding of maritime defence, naval leadership and ocean governance.
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Rear Admiral Saif bin Nasser Al Rahbi
Royal Navy of Oman · Distinguished Fellow
Rear Admiral Saif bin Nasser Al Rahbi contributes a valuable western Indian Ocean perspective, with experience spanning operational command, professional military education, defence studies and high-level naval leadership.
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Ambassador Pankaj Saran
Former Deputy National Security Adviser · Former Ambassador to Russia
With extensive experience in diplomacy and national-security policymaking, Ambassador Pankaj Saran brings strategic depth to NMF’s work on foreign policy, statecraft, neighbourhood engagement and wider Indian Ocean affairs.
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Rear Admiral Monty Khanna
AVSM, NM, IN (Retd) · Distinguished Fellow
A submariner, former Naval Attaché and former Commandant of the Naval War College, Rear Admiral Monty Khanna contributes expertise in China maritime studies, future warfare, strategic restructuring and Arctic policy.
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Mr Anshuman Tripathi
Distinguished Fellow · Former Member, National Security Advisory Board
Mr Anshuman Tripathi brings a vital technology-and-security lens to the Distinguished Fellows cohort, with interests spanning advanced technology, defence innovation, national security and strategic capability development.
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Dr Sanjeev Ranjan
IAS (Retd) · Former Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
With more than thirty-five years in the Indian Administrative Service, Dr Ranjan brings deep experience in finance, logistics, power, infrastructure development, ports and shipping policy.
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