In deep waters

After a run-in with the External Affairs Ministry over the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium earlier this year, Navy Chief Sureesh Mehta is heading for another tidal wave. While the Indian delegation at the annual Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore will be headed by Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, the Navy chief is also going— as a special invitee of the organisers. Incidentally, by reminding Antony about the need to expedite the review of the pay panel’s recommendation for the Armed Forces, Mehta has earned the displeasure of the babus, who feel the petitioning is a case of “overkill”.