President Murmu undertakes historic dive aboard INS Vaghsheer on India’s western coast

New Delhi, December 29. President Droupadi Murmu on December 28 undertook a rare and symbolic submarine sortie aboard INS Vaghsheer, an indigenous Kalvari-class submarine of the Indian Navy, off the western seaboard, underscoring the Supreme Commander’s close engagement with the armed forces in operational settings.

The President embarked the submarine at Karwar Naval Harbour in Karnataka and was accompanied by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. During the more than two-hour-long dived sortie, she interacted with officers and sailors and observed a range of operational demonstrations conducted by the crew.

With this, Murmu became only the second President of India to go on a submarine sortie, after APJ Abdul Kalam. The visit also marked her first embarkation on board an indigenous Kalvari-class submarine, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in naval capabilities.

The sortie follows her earlier engagement with the Navy in November 2024, when she witnessed operational demonstrations aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

In the visitor’s book, the President described the experience as “very special”, saying she was deeply impressed by the professionalism and preparedness of the crew. She noted that the successful firings and demanding operations carried out by INS Vaghsheer showcased the submarine’s high level of readiness and dedication, in line with its motto ‘Veerta Varchasva Vijaya’ (Valour, Strength, Victory).

“The discipline, confidence and enthusiasm of the Vaghsheer crew assure me that our submarines and the Indian Navy are combat-ready against any threat and under all circumstances,” she wrote.