Sawhney is a post-graduate in Defence and Security Planning from the Royal College of Defence Studies, London, prior to which he attended Defence Services Staff College at Wellington and the College of Defence Management, India. During a service of approximately 40 years in the Indian Army, he has held important appointments in staff and command of different combat units and field formations. He was the Director-General of Military Intelligence and was subsequently the Deputy Chief of Army Staff. Post retirement, he was deputed by the Government of India to monitor the situation in Afghanistan. He is presently a Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi. Brig