President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday undertook a sortie onboard submarine INS Vaghsheer on the Western Seaboard, becoming only the second President of India to do so after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, accompanied the President during the sortie.
She embarked on the submarine at Karwar Naval Harbour in Karnataka. During the over two-hour-long mission, the President interacted with the submarine’s crew and witnessed various operational demonstrations.
This maiden embarkation onboard an indigenous Kalvari-class submarine reflects the continued engagement of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces in operational activities.
Earlier, in November 2024, the President had also witnessed an operational demonstration by the Indian Navy aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Later, in the visitors’ book, the President wrote, “It was indeed a very special experience for me to sail, dive and spend time with our sailors and officers onboard INS Vaghsheer. The multiple successful firings and challenging operations carried out by INS Vaghsheer demonstrate the crew’s exceptional preparedness and dedication, in accordance with its motto ‘Veerta Varchasva Vijaya’.”
Expressing confidence in the Indian Navy, she added, “Witnessing the discipline, confidence and enthusiasm of the Vaghsheer crew assures me that our submarines and the Indian Navy are combat-ready against any threat and under all circumstances.”