A Distinguished Career in Service of the Nation

With an illustrious military career spanning over 37 years, Major General Sudhakar Jee, VSM (retired) stands as a paragon of leadership and valour in the Indian armed forces. Commissioned into the prestigious Mahar Regiment in June 1983, he went on to become the colonel of the regiment before superannuating in October 2020.

Throughout his remarkable journey, he demonstrated extraordinary resilience and leadership while serving in some of the most hostile terrains and volatile environments that the subcontinent presents. From the forbidding heights of the Himalayas to the scorching Thar desert, his operational experience encompasses the full spectrum of India’s diverse and strategically critical landscapes.

Academic Excellence & Professional Development

Maj Gen Sudhakar’s academic credentials reflect a pursuit of excellence that began at Sainik School, Bhubaneswar, and culminated at the National Defence College, New Delhi. His other alma maters include the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad.

Command Experience in Strategic Theatres

During the Kargil conflict’s Operation Vijay, he led his company in the treacherous Siachen Glacier, successfully repelling enemy advances at altitudes from 19,000 to 22,000 feet in temperatures as low as –53°C. His leadership during Operation Parakram demonstrated tactical excellence across varied terrains.

He commanded a brigade in the Tawang sector and a division in eastern Ladakh, managing operations at altitudes up to 22,000 feet. As Deputy Director General of Military Operations (Special Operations) at IHQ MoD (Army), he handled critical “out of area contingencies” in India’s immediate, extended, and strategic neighbourhoods. He has also served extensively in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in the northeast and Kashmir valley.

Honours & Recognition

The President of India conferred the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) on Maj Gen Sudhakar for distinguished service. His accolades include two commendations from Army chiefs and two from general officers commanding in chief, as well as special recognition from the governors of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The Mirza Raja Jai Singh I Award (2023) further underscores his contributions to military service.

Post-Retirement Endeavours

Post superannuation, he served as president & CEO of a multinational corporation in Oman. A keen student of geopolitics and geostrategy, he has been recognized for his expertise in Indo-Pacific maritime security by the US state department and participates in Track-2 dialogues across India’s strategic neighbourhood.

He currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow at CLAWS (Centre for Land Warfare Studies) and STRIVE (Society for Transformative Research, Integration, and Veteran Empowerment), and as Expert Adviser to CUTS International. His prolific writings and regular media appearances on geopolitics, strategy, and national security – spanning the Indo-Pacific, the India-China border, and evolving regional dynamics – continue to enrich public understanding.