Xerxes Adrianwalla

Brigadier (retired)

xerxes's expert picBrigadier (retired) Xerxes P. Adrianwalla served for 30 years in the armoured corps of the Indian Army and has been in the corporate sector for the last five years. During his military service, both in combat and in peace, he has obtained varied experience in command and staff assignments, notably:
  • In Sri Lanka with the Indian Peace Keeping Force
  • As Commander of an armoured regiment, and also an armoured brigade
  • As a military observer on a UN assignment
  • As an instructor at various institutions, including the Defence Services Staff College
  • As a director in the Directorate General of Military Operations
His qualifications include an M. Phil and two Masters Degrees in management and International relations in India and abroad. He has also qualified in Defence and Strategic Studies from the Australian Defence College and the Global Program for Management Development from the Ross Business School, Michigan. He retired as Chief of CIS and Group Security of the Mahindra Group, and has written and spoken extensively about national security issues at both defence and civilian organizations. Disclaimer: External experts are not affiliated with Gateway House and have been presented here for reference only.
Expertise

Defence, National Security

Last modified: April 21, 2022

Recent projects

shutterstock_1369455998 Courtesy: Shutterstock
22 August 2019 Gateway House

Chief of defence staff: executive chief or staff officer?

The announcement by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi of a new position of a Chief of Defence Staff is a long-pending and vital appointment for national security, but it will be effective only if the defence apparatus is also overhauled
stone-pelting-1493291286 Courtesy: India Today
23 August 2018 Gateway House

In defence of the defender

The organization, discipline and procedures of the military ensures that succor is provided to the country in the least possible time without meddling or posturing. But with the latest set of rulings against the military by courts and political parties, this is about to change - seriously
kashmir-protest-7592 Courtesy: Indian Express
21 July 2016 Gateway House

Do we really need the Army?

The recent unrest in Kashmir has once again vilified the Indian Army, be it the accusation of murder, or the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, all of it seems to be the fault of the Army. It's time for a reality check.
indchin Courtesy: dannyman/Flickr
27 March 2014 Gateway House

War report under wraps

Down the decades, every government has shown reluctance to declassify the contents of the Henderson Brooks Report, preventing a deeper analysis of what went wrong during the 1962 India-China war. In the absence of this, the key findings of this report remain shrouded in secrecy
India’s Top Security Risks for 2014
18 March 2014

India’s Top Security Risks for 2014

India’s Top Security Risks in 2014 with Sameer Patil, Associate National Security Fellow,  Gateway House in conversation with Brigadier (retd.) Xerxes Adrianwalla, Former DGMO, Indian Army. Read more details here. Sameer Patil Associate National Security Fellow, Gateway House Sameer Patil Read more
ambani Courtesy: World Economic Forum/Flickr
24 May 2013 Gateway House

The privilege of protection

The recent protestation over Mukesh Ambani receiving CISF protection has thrown light on why current laws make it preferable for private individuals and organisations to seek government guarding agencies for protection over private security firms
tank Courtesy: Chanakyathegreat/WikimediaCommons
1 February 2013 Gateway House

Can a war be limited?

After each terror attack in india, there are strident demands for military action against Pakistan. ‘Surgical’ strikes and limited war in a bilateral nuclear age are not really options. What is needed is more decisive action on non-military fronts
WikimediaCommons Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
15 January 2013

India-Pakistan: No takers for a solution

Pakistan’s recent violation of the ceasefire, by killing two Indian soldiers and beheading one of them, has triggered knee-jerk reactions by the government and armed forces, media frenzy, and public outcry. What makes this 60-year old problem tough to resolve, and how can those obstacles be overcome?
siachen pic Courtesy: Guilhem Vellut/WikimediaCommons
16 October 2012 Gateway House

Siachen: To hold or to fold?

There have been many discussions on the need to de-militarise the Siachen Glacier. Why have India and Pakistan suddenly begun to believe that they were mistaken in holding on to the region all this while? What are the possible ramifications of de-militarising this strategic location?