Nirmal K. Verma

Professor & Distinguished International Fellow International Programs

Adm., Indian Navy, Retired

Biography

Admiral (Ret) Nirmal Verma served as Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy from 2009-2012 and concurrently held charge as the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee from June 2011. His afloat appointments include commands of a frigate, a destroyer and aircraft carrier INS Viraat. His assignments as Flag Officer include an operational theater command, and policy formulation on budget management, acquisitions and human resources. Post retirement he served as India's High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Canada. The Admiral is currently a U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Distinguished International Fellow at the U.S. Naval War College.

Contact Information

(401) 856-5204

Nirmal.Verma.IN@usnwc.edu

Areas of Expertise

Asia-Pacific
China
Geopolitics
India
Indian Ocean
Pakistan

Professional Highlights

2015

U.S. Naval War College

Adm. Verma presently serves as Chief Naval Operations Distinguished International Fellow and Professor at the U.S. Naval War College. He participates in the core programs of the CNW, CNSC, and IMSOC and MSG courses, and takes lectures as required. He also teaches an elective on "India, Pakistan, China, and South Asian Security".

2012

High Commissioner (Ambassador) of India to Canada

Advanced the India-Canada relationship by promoting bilateral trade and investments; expanding outreach to the financial sector and the business community; increased cooperation in skill development and education; and shaping strategic convergence with the host country on global issues.

2009

Admiral, Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy and concurrently Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee form June 2011

He was responsible for the maritime security of India and tri-service coordination on joint issues. His emphasis was on enhancing the Navy's operational effectiveness, force levels, acquisitions and empathetic HR policies, as also coastal security structures post 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

2009

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command

Responsible for all aspects of operations, organization, and administration of the Eastern Naval Command.

2006

Vice Chief of Naval Staff

Responsible for planning the future navy, acquisitions and infrastructure, and managing the budget. Assisted the Chief of Naval Staff as required in the discharge of his responsibilities.

2005

Vice Admiral, Chief of Personnel

Responsible for all aspects of personnel policies and management of the 100,000 active duty naval personnel and defense civilians.

2003

Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans)

Responsible for managing the navy's budget and drawing up plans for the future navy, staff requirements for ships, and infrastructure development.

2002

Flag Officer Commanding, Maharashtra Naval Area

Operational responsibility for the maritime defense of the region and overseeing the administration of naval establishments in Mumbai.

1999

Chief of Staff, Headquarters Eastern Naval Command

Assisted the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the discharge of his responsibilities.

1998

Rear Admiral, Senior Directing Staff, National Defence College

Served on the faculty of the College.

Education

Executive Course, Harvard Kennedy School, Belfer Center, 2016

Naval Command Course, US Naval War College, 1993

Post graduate degree in Defense Studies from University of Madras, India, 1991

Staff Course, Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich U.K., 1983

National Defense Academy 1965-1968

Various specialization courses in the India during his naval career.

Research Contributions and Publications

Addressed U.S. Navy International Seapower Symposium

“Maritime Security in the Rules based Order”
U.S. Navy International Seapower Symposium, 2021

“Utilizing International Law to Enhance Transparency”
U.S. Navy International Seapower Symposium, 2016

Spoke at various events at U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI, as required

“Indo-Pacific: South China Sea and the Indian Ocean -An Indian Perspective”
Former CNOs (U.S. India and Japan) Panel Discussion on the South China Sea, June 2018

“Seapower and Great Power Dynamics”
Moderator, EMC Conference on Sea Control and Foreign Policy, April 2017

“Naval Competition and Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region: India’s Perspective”
Naval War College Foundation, Newport, RI, May 2016

“US Cooperative Strategy for the 21st Century Seapower: An Indian Perspective”
EMC Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation, May 2016

“India’s Relations with the West and China”
China Maritime Studies Institute Conference, January 2016

“China’s Silk Road Initiative”
Panel Moderator, China Maritime Studies Institute Conference, January 2016

Regional Alumni Symposiums

“An Outside Perspective of the One Belt-One Road/Belt and Road Initiative”
Regional Alumni Symposium, Malaysia, February 2018

“International Norms and Standards”
Regional Alumni Symposium, Oman, October 2017

“China: Maritime Security and its Impact in the Indo-Pacific Region”
Regional Alumni Symposium, Peru, March 2017

“Indo-Africa Relationship
Regional Alumni Symposium, Africa (held in Newport, RI), August 2015

“Anti-Access, Area Denial in the Western Pacific”
Regional Alumni Symposium, Brazil, May 2015

CFMCC Courses

Facilitator and undertook lectures in the courses conducted at PACFLT HQ Honolulu, Hawaii
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Facilitator and undertook lectures in the courses conducted in the course at 5th Fleet HQ, Bahrain
2017, 2019, 2020

Halifax International Security Forum

“Himalayan Heat: Sino-Indian Friction”
Halifax International Security Forum, 2021

“The Chinese Century is Coming: That’s What Xi Said”
Halifax International Security Forum, 2019

“The Quad Squad: Asia’s Democracy Defenders”
Halifax International Security Forum, 2018

“Beneath the Waves: Submarine Surge”
Halifax International Security Forum, 2016

“Ruling the Waves: China Whets its Dream”
Halifax International Security Forum, 2015

Publications and Book endorsements

“India and Transnational Maritime Challenges”
Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific, Chapter 12, 2014

“The Commanders Respond: Admiral Nirmal Verma-Indian Navy”
U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, March 2011

“How to Grow a Navy: The Development of Maritime Power” by Geoffrey Till
Book endorsement

“Red Star over the Pacific; China’s Rise and the Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy” by Toshi Yoshihara and James R. Holmes
Book endorsement

Other Institutions

“Indian Ocean: Maritime Security Challenges”
USINDOPACOM Military Operations and Law Symposium (MILOPS), Bangkok, June 2019

“Different Perspectives on the South China Sea”
Asia-Pacific Regional Civ-Mil Approaches to Maritime Security Course, Naval Post Graduate School, Monterrey, July 2018

“China’s Westward March: One Belt-One Road (OBOR) A Key Instrument”
Providence Foreign Relations Council, April 2018

“Indian Maritime Strategy in the Indian Ocean”
Strategic Studies Center, Naval War College, Brazil, May 2017

“Utilizing International Law to Enhance Transparency”
Naval War College, Brazil, May 2017

“India: A2AD Partnership Requirements for Awareness and Access”
Center for a New American Security, December 2015

“Indian Ocean from India’s Perspective”
John Hopkins University APL, October 2015

“Maritime Security Challenges in the Western Indian Ocean”
NATO's Regional Course, NATO Defense College, Rome

“The Rules Based International Order”
Indo-Pacific Orientation Course, APCSS Hawaii

“U.S.-India Naval Strategic Dialogue (Track II)”
Various venues abroad

Taught electives at the U.S. Naval War College

“India, Pakistan, China, and South Asian Security”
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

“Soft Power: An Undervalued Component of National Power”
2016

Awards and Decorations

Param Vishisht Seva Medal
2006

Ati Vishish Seva Medal
2004

Commendation by the Chief of Naval Staff
1991

Commendation by the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Western Naval Command
1982

External Memberships and Associations

Harvard Kennedy School, Executive Program
Alumni

Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies
Alumni

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