Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, AVSM, assumed command as the 20th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) on June 1, 2026.
Marking the occasion, the Flag Officer laid a wreath in honour of the nation’s fallen heroes and subsequently reviewed a Combined Services Guard of Honour at the Andaman and Nicobar Command, India’s premier integrated operational command comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
A highly experienced and respected naval officer, Vice Admiral McCarty brings with him decades of operational, command and strategic leadership experience. Throughout his distinguished career, he has commanded several frontline warships and also led the Western Fleet, one of the Indian Navy’s principal operational formations.
The Flag Officer has held several key appointments, including Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, where he played a significant role in shaping future naval leaders, and India’s Defence Adviser to Singapore, contributing to defence diplomacy and bilateral military cooperation.
Prior to assuming command of ANC, he served as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine, Organisation & Training) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, where he made significant contributions towards enhancing joint capability development, military integration and operational synergy among the three Services.
Officials noted that his extensive experience in joint operations, maritime security and strategic planning makes him well suited to lead the Andaman and Nicobar Command, which occupies a critical position in safeguarding India’s interests in the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific.
As Commander-in-Chief, Vice Admiral McCarty will oversee the operational readiness and integrated functioning of India’s only tri-service theatre command, which plays a vital role in maritime security, force projection, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and regional stability.
His appointment comes at a time when the Indian Armed Forces continue to place increasing emphasis on jointness, integration and theatre-level operational capabilities to meet emerging security challenges.
The assumption of command marks a new chapter in the evolution of the Andaman and Nicobar Command as a key pillar of India’s strategic and operational architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.
