Indian President Droupadi Murmu Embarks on Submarine Vaghsheer

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu made headlines on Sunday as she embarked on a submarine voyage at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka. This event marks a notable moment in her presidency, as she becomes only the second individual to hold the office in India to undertake such a journey.

The President boarded INS Vaghsheer, a Kalvari-class submarine developed indigenously by the Indian Navy. This submarine is part of India's efforts to enhance its maritime capabilities and showcases advancements in naval technology.

Accompanying President Murmu was Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the Chief of Naval Staff. As the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, her participation in this sortie highlights the President's role in overseeing military operations and supporting naval defence initiatives.

The official account of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President's official residence, shared images of the event on social media platform X, stating, "President Droupadi Murmu embarked the Indian Navy's indigenous Kalvari-class submarine INS Vaghsheer at Karwar Naval Base, Karnataka. The President is undertaking a sortie on the Western Seaboard. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi is accompanying the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces."

This sortie represents a significant milestone in President Murmu's tenure, as it is her first experience aboard a submarine. The first Indian President to engage in such an activity was A P J Abdul Kalam, who undertook a submarine sortie during his time in office.

The Kalvari-class submarines, named after the tiger shark, are designed for anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and surveillance operations. The development of these submarines is part of India's broader strategy to bolster its naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean region, amid rising maritime challenges.

With this voyage, President Murmu not only pays homage to a tradition established by her predecessor but also reinforces the significance of the Indian Navy in maintaining national security and protecting the country's maritime interests. This event is expected to inspire further engagement between the government and the armed forces, promoting transparency and public interest in military operations.