In a landmark event showcasing India's indigenous naval prowess, President Droupadi Murmu undertook a submarine sortie from the Karwar naval base in Karnataka on Sunday. The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, embarked on this significant journey onboard the Indian Navy's indigenous Kalvari-class submarine, INS Vaghsheer.
A Presidential Voyage into the Depths
This marked President Murmu's first-ever submarine sortie, making her only the second occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhavan to undertake such an endeavour. The historic move places her in the esteemed company of former President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, who was the first Indian President to experience a submarine sortie. The President was accompanied during the sortie by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, highlighting the importance of the event for the naval establishment.
Showcasing Indigenous Defence Capabilities
The choice of vessel for this presidential sortie is of particular significance. INS Vaghsheer is a part of the Kalvari-class, a series of diesel-electric attack submarines built indigenously in India. By embarking on this specific submarine, President Murmu's sortie served as a powerful endorsement of India's growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing under initiatives like 'Make in India'. The event was conducted along the Western Seaboard, a strategically vital maritime zone for national security.
Symbolism and Strategic Messaging
The Rashtrapati Bhavan's official account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shared photographs from the event, formally announcing the President's engagement with the naval forces. Such visits by the Supreme Commander are not merely ceremonial; they are profound gestures of solidarity with the armed forces and provide a first-hand assessment of operational readiness and technological advancements. This sortie reinforces the nation's commitment to securing its maritime frontiers and acknowledges the critical role played by the silent service—the submarine arm—in India's defence architecture.
The event at the Karwar naval base stands as a testament to the Indian Navy's operational capabilities and the nation's strides in indigenous defence technology, witnessed at the highest constitutional level.
