What happened:
President Droupadi Murmu on December 28, 2025, undertook a sortie onboard the indigenously-built Kalvari-class submarine INS Vaghsheer at Karwar Naval Base, Karnataka. During the over two-hour sortie, she interacted with the crew and witnessed operational demonstrations, noting their discipline, confidence, and preparedness. The President becomes the second in Indian history to embark on a submarine sortie after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Why it matters to India:
The sortie underscores the Indian Navy’s combat readiness and operational capability, highlights the strategic importance of indigenous platforms like the Kalvari-class, and reflects the continued engagement of the Supreme Commander with the armed forces. It also reinforces India’s focus on self-reliance in defence technology and the operational proficiency of its personnel.