The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu undertook a dived sortie onboard Submarine – INS Vaghsheer on Western Seaboard. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi accompanied the President. She embarked the submarine at Karwar Naval Harbour, Karnataka today (December 28, 2025).
During over 2 hour long sortie, she interacted with the Submarine crew and witnessed the operational demonstrations. President Droupadi Murmu is the second President to take sortie in a Submarine after President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. This maiden embarkation onboard an indigenous Kalvari-class submarine reflects the continued engagement of the Supreme Commander with the Armed Forces in operational settings.
Earlier in November 2024, the President had witnessed an Operational Demonstration by the Indian Navy onboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Later in the visitor’s book, the President expressed her feelings by writing a brief note in which she said, "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’. 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”.